Sample sorting system and methods of sorting samples

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/263,942, filed Jan. 31, 2019, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,359, filed Jan. 31, 2018, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,450, filed Jan. 31, 2018, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,486, filed Jan. 31, 2018, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,419, filed Jan. 31, 2018, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/624,530, filed Jan. 31, 2018,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entiretiesherein.

FIELD

Described herein are robotic systems and methods for high-throughputsorting of a plurality of sample vessels. Such methods and systems maybe useful for sorting patient samples for clinical testing and/or otherlaboratory analysis.

BACKGROUND

Samples are commonly placed within vessels that are sent to clinicallaboratories or other testing facilities for processing and analysis.Such samples may include blood, serum, plasma or urine that is to betested for various analytes (e.g., cholesterol, cancer markers, hormonesand the like). Or, in some cases there is a need to test environmentalsamples (e.g., food and/or animal-related testing). Such clinical labsand/or testing facilities regularly receive large quantities of sampleswhich need to be sorted into groups according to the analysis or test tobe performed on the sample. Due to the large volume of sample vesselsprocessed by the facilities, a need exists for robust sorting systems.Hand-sorting is slow, labor intensive and subject to human error. Thesample vessels often need be sorted into a large number of sort groupsand done so at a high throughput without error. However, manyconventional systems do not have the capacity to process the largevolume of samples typically processed by a commercial testing facilityand/or clinical laboratory. Similarly, conventional systems do not havethe capability to feed individual vessels selected from a plurality ofvessels to a large downstream process and to do so at a constant ratewith high throughput. To feed a large volume sorting system, the vesselsneed to be in an orientation that is compatible with the system. Manyconventional systems do not have the capability to reorient a pluralityof vessels from a random arrangement into an organized arrangement forfurther characterization of the vessels or samples therein. Forprocesses downstream, a constant and reliable feed stream may improveoperational efficiency. There remains a need for a sorting system thatis capable of sorting a large volume of sample vessels into a largenumber of sort groups at a high throughput without error. Similarly, aneed remains for sample vessel supply systems capable of consistentlysupplying a large number of sample vessels into a downstream processindividually and with the vessel orientation aligned with therequirements of the downstream processes. There is also a need forsample vessel receiving systems capable of consistently individuallyreceiving a large volume of sample vessels from an upstream process,with the vessel segregated according to a parameter. A need also existsto minimize the footprint of such systems to enable greater flexibilityin use of such systems.

Described herein are new systems and methods to efficiently supply alarge volume of sample vessels into various downstream processes suchthat the vessels are presented and sorted individually and at a highrate of speed. Also disclosed herein are new systems and methods toaccurately sort a large volume of sample vessels into numerous sortgroups at a high rate of speed and new systems and methods toefficiently receive a large volume of sample vessels from variousupstream processes at a high rate of speed.

SUMMARY

Described herein are robotic systems and methods for high-throughputsorting of a plurality of sample vessels, systems and methods to supplya plurality of vessels into a downstream system or process at a highrate of speed, and systems and methods to receive and segregate a largevolume of vessels from an upstream system or process at a high rate ofspeed with minimal human interaction. The invention may be embodied in avariety of ways.

In some embodiments, a system for sorting a plurality of vessels maycomprise a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality of vessels, whereeach vessel is configured to hold a sample and comprises anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup into which the sample is to be sorted. The sorting unit maycomprise: a first transfer belt configured to transport individualvessels from an entry position to a second position; a scanning unitconfigured to read an identification region on each vessel; an endcomponent configured to position the vessels within the sorting unit; atleast one nesting belt configured to position the vessels for transportto a designated collection point; a manipulator configured to transferindividual vessels to the at least one nesting belt; and at least onerunner configured to transfer individual vessels to a designatedcollection point. Optionally, the scanning unit may be positionedadjacent to the second position. In certain embodiments, the scanningunit may comprise a reader that reads the identification region andstores the information related to each of the vessels as the vessel issorted by the system. In some embodiments, the end component may receivethe vessel from the first transfer belt and position the vessel at thesecond position for reading by the scanning unit. In some embodiments,the manipulator may be configured to physically manipulate theindividual scanned vessels and pick up the individual vessel from theend component and place the individual vessel on the nesting belt. Incertain embodiments, the manipulator may place an individual vessel on aparticular area of the nesting belt that may be associated with thedesignated collection point for the individual vessel. In someembodiments, the particular area or position of the vessel on thenesting belt may be stored and tracked by the system. Optionally, theleast one runner may positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit.In some embodiments, the at least one runner may be configured tophysically manipulate individual vessels and pick up the vessels fromthe at least one nesting belt and transport the vessel to a designatedcollection point. In certain embodiments, the at least runner mayrelease the vessel at the collection point.

In some embodiments, a system for sorting a plurality of vessels,comprises: a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality of vessels,wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample and comprises anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein the sortingunit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured to individuallytransport each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to asecond position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positionedadjacent to the second position and configured to read theidentification region on each of the plurality of vessels, wherein thescanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identification regionand stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vesselis sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives the vesselfrom the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at the secondposition for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least one nestingbelt configured to position each of the plurality of scanned vessels fortransport to a designated collection point; and (v) a manipulatorconfigured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scannedvessels and individually transfer individual vessels from the endcomponent to the at least one nesting belt, wherein the position of thevessel on the nesting belt is stored by the system; and at least onerunner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit and configuredto physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels andtransfer each of the vessels from the at least one nesting belt to adesignated collection point. In certain embodiments, the plurality ofvessels may be a biological sample tube that is cylindrical in shape andcomprises a cap. In some embodiments, the sorting unit may assign thesorting group to each of the plurality of vessels based on the bar codeinformation for each vessel.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise two nesting beltscomprising a first nesting belt and a second nesting belt, where thefirst and second nesting belts may be positioned adjacent to one anotherand each nesting belt may be configured to advance independently of theother nesting belt. In certain embodiments, each nesting belt maycomprise at least two active stages and each stage may comprise a nesthaving two or more slots, where each slot is configured to accommodate asingle vessel. In some embodiments, the system may comprise two runnerscomprising a first runner and a second runner, where the first runnermay be configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality ofscanned vessels and transfer each of the plurality of vessels from afirst active stage to a designated collection point and the secondrunner may be configured to physically manipulate each of the pluralityof the scanned vessels and transfer each of the plurality of vesselsfrom a second active stage to a designated collection point. In someembodiments, the first active stage of the nesting belts may beconfigured to align with an operating path of the first runner such thatthe operating path of the first runner may be substantiallyperpendicular to the first active stage and the second active stage ofthe nesting belt may be configured to align with an operating path ofthe second runner such that the operating path of the second runner maybe substantially perpendicular to the second active stage. In someembodiments, each of the nesting belts may be configured to advance attimed intervals that provide for a runner to remove each of theplurality of positioned vessels from the slots of the nest prior toadvancement of the nesting belt to the next stage position. In certainembodiments, the system may be configured to relay the sort group foreach of the plurality of vessels and the position of each of theplurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners. In someembodiments, the runners may be configured to transport each of theplurality of vessels from the slots on the nests to collectioncontainers. In some embodiments, each container may have an assignedsorting group. In some embodiments, the runners may be configured todisengage with each of the plurality of vessels when the runner isaligned with the assigned collection container as determined by thesorting group information of each of the plurality of vessels.Optionally, the system may comprise two sorting units, wherein thesorting units are adjacent to one another such that the stages of thenesting belts are substantially aligned.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise: four sorting units, whereeach sorting unit may comprise two nesting belts comprising a firstnesting belt and a second nesting belt, where the first and secondnesting belts may be adjacent to one another and each nesting belt maybe configured to advance independently of the other nesting belts. Insome embodiments, each nesting belt may comprise at least two activestages and each stage may comprise a nest having two or more slots. Incertain embodiments, the nesting belts of the four sorting units may beconfigured to operate independently from one another and the stages ofthe nesting belts may be aligned. In some embodiments, the system mayfurther comprise four runners, where each runner may be configured tophysically manipulate and transfers vessels from a single active stage.Optionally, the designated active stage of the nesting belts may beconfigured to align with an operating path of the associated runner suchthat the operating path of the associated runner is substantiallyperpendicular to the designated active stage and where each of thenesting belts is configured to advance at timed intervals that providefor the associated runner to remove each of the plurality of positionedvessels from the slots of the nest prior to advancement of the nestingbelt to the next stage position. In some embodiments, the system may beconfigured to relay the sort group for each of the plurality of vesselsand the position of each of the plurality of vessels on each nestingbelt to the runners. In some embodiments, the runners may be configuredto transport each of the plurality of vessels from the slots on thenests to collection containers, each container having an assignedsorting group. In certain embodiments, the runners may be configured todisengage with each of the plurality of vessels when the runner isaligned with the assigned collection container as determined by thesorting group information of each of the plurality of vessels.

In certain embodiments, the system may be configured to sort up to 8000vessels per hour. In other embodiments, the system may be configured tosort more than 8000 vessels per hour. In some embodiments, the systemmay be configured to sort the plurality of vessels into up to 216 sortgroups. In other embodiments, the system may be configured to sort theplurality of vessels into more than 216 sort groups (e.g., 250, 252,275, 288, 300, 324 or more sort groups). In some embodiments, the systemmay be modular. In some embodiments, the designated collection point mayfurther comprise a plurality of chutes, wherein each chute may be pairedwith a collection container.

In certain embodiments, the system may further comprise at least onefeeding system configured to supply vessels to the entry position of theat least one sorting unit. In some embodiments, a system for supplying aplurality of vessels may comprise: a feeding unit configured to supply aplurality of vessels to at least one exit position, where each of theplurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample. The feeding unitmay comprise: a feed bin; a transporter configured to remove individualvessels from the feed bin; and a transfer belt configured to transferthe vessels to an exit position of the feeding unit. In certainembodiments, the feed bin may be substantially trapezoidal in shape andcomprise a bottom surface, a substantially open top, a front, a back, anA-side and a B-side, where the A-sides and B-sides are opposite to eachother. The feed bin may be configured to feed each of the plurality ofvessels from an entry position, e.g., at the top of the feed bin to atleast one edge position, e.g., at or near a bottom surface of the bin.The feed bin may also include at least one transporter positioned incommunication with vessels at the at least one edge position. Forexample, in one embodiment there may be at least one transporter on atleast one of the A-side or the B-side of the feed bin. The transportermay be configured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from theat least one edge position and transport each of the vessels to at leastone transfer point. The system may further comprise at least onetransfer belt positioned at the exit of the at least one transporter andconfigured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the at leastone transfer point and individually transfer individual vessels from theat least one transfer point to an exit position within the feedingsystem. In some embodiments, the transfer belt is positioned at or nearthe top of the bin. In some embodiments, a system for supplying aplurality of vessels may comprise: a feeding unit configured to supply aplurality of vessels to at least one exit position, where each of theplurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample, and where thefeeding unit comprises: (i) a feed bin, the bin being substantiallytrapezoidal in shape and comprising a bottom surface, a substantiallyopen top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side, and configured tofeed each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position at the topof the feed bin to at least one edge position of the bottom surface;(ii) at least one transporter positioned on at least one of the A-sideor the B-side of the feed bin and configured to receive each of theplurality of vessels from the at least one edge position and transporteach of the vessels to the at least one transfer point; and (iii) atleast one transfer belt positioned at the exit of the at least onetransporter and at or near the top of the bin, and configured to receiveeach of the plurality of vessels from at least one transfer point andindividually transfer individual vessels from the at least one transferpoint to an exit position within the feeding system.

The transporter unit may be configured to move individual vessels in asequential manner. In some embodiments, the at least one transporter maycomprise discrete sorting regions that are configured to hold vesselsthat are individually juxtaposed. For example, the sorting regions mayalign a number vessels in a linear fashion for further sorting anddownline processing. For example, in some embodiments, the at least onetransporter may comprise a series of steps configured to individuallytransfer vessels from one step to the next step in the series.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise two transporters and twotransfer belts. For example, one transporter and transfer belt pair maybe associated with the A-side of the feed bin and the other transporterand transfer belt pair may be associated with the B-side of the feedbin. In some embodiments, the system is modular in that multiple feedingunits may be juxtaposed as part of a larger system for downstreamanalysis of the samples within the vessels.

In certain embodiments, the system may further comprise at least onevessel receiving system configured to receive vessels from the sortingunit. In some embodiments, a system for receiving a plurality of vesselsmay comprise a collection bank configured to receive at least onevessel, where the at least one vessel is configured to hold a sample andwherein the collection bank comprises: at least one alignment component,where the at least one alignment component is configured to direct theat least one vessel from an entry position to a collection point withinthe collection bank; and at least one collection containers comprisingan opening, where the at least one containers is configured to receiveand hold at the least one vessel at the collection point. In someembodiments, a system for receiving a plurality of vessels may comprisea collection bank configured to receive a plurality of vessels, whereeach vessel is configured to hold a sample and wherein the collectionbank comprises: a plurality of alignment components, where each of theplurality of alignment components is configured to individually directeach of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to a collectionpoint within the collection bank; and a plurality of collectioncontainers comprising an opening, where each of the plurality ofcontainers is configured to receive and hold at least some of theplurality of vessels at the collection point. In an embodiment, samplesare directed to a particular collection point based on the sample typeor some other identifying indicia. In some embodiments, the system mayfurther comprise a plurality of encasing panels adjacent to each of theplurality of alignment components, where each of the plurality ofencasing panels is configured to enclose each of the plurality ofalignment components. In some embodiments, the system may furthercomprise a support structure configured to house each of the pluralityof alignment components, encasing panels, and collection containers. Insome embodiments, the plurality of alignment components and encasingpanels may be configured in a row and positioned in a verticalorientation with an encasing panel separating each of the plurality ofalignment components in the row and an encasing panel at each end of therow.

In certain embodiments, the support structure may comprise at least onecontainer shelf configured to hold the plurality of collectioncontainers. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of collectioncontainers may be configured to be associated with a chute formed by oneof the plurality of encasing panels and one of the plurality ofalignment components, where the association is based on a sortingparameter of each of the plurality of vessels.

In some cases, each of the plurality of encasing panels and alignmentcomponents may be configured to contact each other to form a chute andreorient a vessel from a substantially horizontal orientation to asubstantially vertical orientation to facilitate entry into a collectioncontainer. In some examples, each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents comprises a first side and a second side. In someembodiments, the first side and second side of each of the plurality ofalignment components each may comprise a raised portion, where theraised portion is configured to provide a contact surface to reorientand funnel each of the plurality of vessels.

In some embodiments, the collection system may include an apparatus toguide vessels within the system. In certain examples, an apparatus forguiding an article may comprise a raised portion in a substantiallyY-shape and a first side and a second side, where the raised portionprovides a contact surface for the article and is configured to directan article from a top of the apparatus to an outlet at the bottom of theapparatus. In some cases, the apparatus further comprises a two-stepfeature to further direct and reorient each article entering theapparatus from a rear entry point.

In some embodiments, the collection system may include an apparatus tocollect and transport vessels. In certain examples, acollection-transport apparatus may collect and transport an article froma collection point to a downstream process (e.g., analysis station). Insome cases, the article may be a vessel or sample tube. Thecollection-transport apparatus may comprise a substantially rectangularbase and walls connected to the base, where the base and walls define aninterior volume of the apparatus and the walls comprise a front wall, arear wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, a top connected tothe first side wall and second side wall, where the top comprises afirst top surface and a second top surface that are substantiallyperpendicular to the first side wall and second side wall, a firsthandle connected to the first top surface and second top surface, and asecond handle connected to the rear wall of the apparatus. In somecases, the apparatus may comprise a panel that defines a substantiallyrectangular opening, where the apparatus configured to receive aplurality of implements through the opening.

Also disclosed herein are methods for sorting a plurality of vessels. Incertain embodiments, a method for sorting a plurality of vessels maycomprise: providing a plurality of vessels; transferring the pluralityof vessels to a sorting unit; determining a sorting group for thevessel; storing the information related to the at least one vessel;transferring each of the plurality of vessels to at least one runnerpositioned at an exit position of the sorting unit, and transferring thevessel via the at least one runner to a designated collection container.In some embodiments, a system for sorting a plurality of vessels maycomprise a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality of vessels, whereeach vessel is configured to hold a sample and comprises anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup into which the sample is to be sorted. In an embodiment, thesorting unit may comprise: a first transfer belt configured to transportindividual vessels from an entry position to a second position; ascanning unit configured to read an identification region on eachvessel; an end component configured to position the vessels within thesorting unit; at least one nesting belt configured to position thevessels for transport to a designated collection point; a manipulatorconfigured to transfer individual vessels to the at least one nestingbelt; and at least one runner configured to transfer individual vesselsto a designated collection point. Optionally, the scanning unit may bepositioned adjacent to the second position. In certain embodiments, thescanning unit may comprise a reader that reads the identification regionand stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vesselis sorted by the system. In some embodiments, the end component mayreceive the vessel from the first transfer belt and position the vesselat the second position for reading by the scanning unit. In someembodiments, the manipulator may be configured to physically manipulatethe individual scanned vessels and pick up the individual vessel fromthe end component and place the individual vessel on the nesting belt.In certain embodiments, the manipulator may place an individual vesselon a particular area of the nesting belt that may be associated with thedesignated collection point for the individual vessel. In someembodiments, the particular area or position of the vessel on thenesting belt may be stored and tracked by the system. Optionally, theleast one runner may positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit.In some embodiments, the at least one runner may be configured tophysically individual vessels and pick up the vessels from the at leastone nesting belt and transport the vessel to a designated collectionpoint. In certain embodiments, the at least runner may release thevessel at the collection point. For example, a method for sorting aplurality of vessels may comprise: (a) providing a plurality of vessels,each vessel configured to hold sample, wherein each of the plurality ofvessels comprises an identification region for providing informationrelated to a sorting group of the sample; transferring the plurality ofvessels to a sorting unit, the sorting unit configured to: sort aplurality of vessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sampleand comprises an identification region for providing information relatedto a sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and whereinthe sorting unit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured toindividually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanningunit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to readthe identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, whereinthe scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identificationregion and stores the information related to each of the vessels as thevessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives thevessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at thesecond position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least onenesting belt configured to position each of the plurality of scannedvessels for transport to a designated collection point; and (v) amanipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality ofscanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from theend component to the at least one nesting belt, wherein the position ofthe vessel on the nesting belt is stored by the system; (b) reading theidentification region of the vessel; (c) determining a sorting group forthe vessel; (d) storing the information related to the at least onevessel; (e) transferring each of the plurality of vessels to at leastone runner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit, whereinthe runner is configured to physically manipulate each of the pluralityof scanned vessels and transfer each of the vessels from the at leastone nesting belt to a designated collection point; and (f) transferringthe vessel via the at least one runner to a designated collectioncontainer, wherein the collection container is determined by the sortinggroup information of the vessel.

Also disclosed herein are methods for supplying a plurality of vesselsfor sorting by a sorting unit. The method may comprise: providing aplurality of vessels; transferring the plurality of vessels to a feedingunit where the feeding unit comprises a feed bin, a transporterconfigured to remove individual vessels from the feed bin; and atransfer belt configured to transfer the vessels to an exit position ofthe feeding unit for transfer to a sorting unit. In some embodiments,the feed bin may be substantially trapezoidal in shape and comprise abottom surface, a substantially open top, a front, a back, an A-side anda B-side, and may be configured to feed each of the plurality of vesselsfrom an entry position at the top of the feed bin to at least one edgeposition at or near the bottom surface of the bin. Also in someembodiments, the at least one transporter may be positioned on at leastone of the A-side or the B-side of the feed bin and configured toreceive each of the plurality of vessels from the at least one edgeposition. In an embodiment, the transporter is used to transport each ofthe vessels to at least one transfer point. The method may also employusing at least one transfer belt positioned at the exit of the at leastone transporter to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the atleast one transfer point and individually transfer each individualvessel from the at least one transfer point to a bin exit positionwithin the system. In an embodiment, the exit of the at least onetransporter is at or near the top of the bin. The method may alsotransfer the vessel via the at least one transfer belt to a downstreamprocess or unit. For example, a method for supplying a plurality ofvessels, may comprise: providing a plurality of vessels; transferringthe plurality of vessels to a feeding unit, the feeding unit configuredto: supply a plurality of vessels to at least one exit position, whereeach of the plurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample, andwhere the feeding unit comprises: (i) a feed bin, the bin beingsubstantially trapezoidal in shape and comprising a bottom surface, asubstantially open top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side, andconfigured to feed each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition at the top of the feed bin to at least one edge position of thebottom surface wherein the feed; (ii) at least one transporterpositioned on at least one of the A-side or the B-side of the feed binand configured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the atleast one edge position and transport each of the vessels to the atleast one transfer point; and (iii) at least one transfer beltpositioned at the exit of the at least one transporter and at or nearthe top of the bin, and configured to receive each of the plurality ofvessels from at least one transfer point and individually transfer eachindividual vessel from the at least one transfer point to a bin exitposition within the system; and transferring the vessel via the at leastone transfer belt to a downstream process or unit.

Also disclosed herein are methods for receiving (e.g., collecting) aplurality of vessels using the sorting systems described herein. In someexamples, a method of using a system for receiving a plurality ofvessels may comprise comprising delivering a plurality of vessels to anentry point of the collection system and dispersing the plurality ofvessels into a plurality of collection containers. The collection systemmay comprise (i) a plurality of alignment components, where each of theplurality of alignment components is configured to individually directat least some of the plurality of vessels from an entry position to acollection point within the collection bank; (ii) a plurality ofencasing panels adjacent to each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents, where each of the plurality of encasing panels is configuredto enclose each of the plurality of alignment components; (iii) aplurality of collection containers comprising an opening, where each ofthe plurality of containers is configured to receive and hold the atleast some of the plurality of vessels at the collection point; and (iv)a support structure configured to house each of the plurality ofalignment components, encasing panels, and collection containers, whereeach vessel is configured to hold a sample. In an embodiment, samplesare directed to a particular collection point based on the sample typeor some other identifying indicia.

This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of theinvention and introduces some of the concepts that are further describedin the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intendedto identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, noris it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of theclaimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood byreference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any orall drawings and each claim. Further aspects, objects, and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detaileddescription and figures that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to theaccompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a system for sorting a plurality ofvessels according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a system for sorting a plurality ofvessels according to one embodiment described herein, where the systemof FIG. 2 has more sorting units and collection points than the systemof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a system for sorting a plurality of vesselsaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a sorting unit comprising four nesting beltsaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a sorting unit according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a sorting unit according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a sorting unit according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of a sorting unit according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a sorting unit comprising two nesting beltsaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a runner according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collection bank comprising an array ofchutes according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 10 shows a row of alignment components and encasing panels arrangedto form a plurality of chutes according to one embodiment describedherein.

FIG. 11 shows rows of collection containers on a container shelf of asupport structure with a row of chutes above according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a compact bidirectional alignmentcomponent and an encasing panel according to one embodiment describedherein.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of an array of compact bidirectionalalignment components and encasing panels according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of an array of compact bidirectionalalignment components and encasing panels according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 15A shows a front perspective view of an alignment componentaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 15B shows a rear perspective view of an alignment componentaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 16A shows a front perspective view of an alignment componentaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 16B shows a rear perspective view of an alignment componentaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 17 is side view of a bidirectional alignment component according toaccording to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 18A is a top view of a collection container according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of a collection container according toone embodiment described herein.

FIG. 18C is a side view of a collection container according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 18D is a front view of a collection container according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a collection container according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 20 shows a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on acollection container according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 21 shows feedback sensors on a collection bank according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a vessel supply system in connectionwith a vessel sorting system according to one embodiment describedherein.

FIG. 23 is a top view of a vessel supply system according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 24 shows a photograph of a vessel supply system according to oneembodiment described herein.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a vessel supply system adjacent todownstream process according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of a vessel supply system comprisingtwo bins, four transporters, and four transfer belts, where the supplysystem is adjacent to downstream process according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 27 shows feedback sensors on a feeder according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and/or variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass theitems listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additionalitems.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, shouldbe understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined,i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases anddisjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

Described herein are systems and methods for sorting a plurality ofvessels. The invention may be embodied in a variety of ways.

Sorting Units

Samples that are to be tested for certain analytes (e.g., patient sampleto be tested for analytes such as lipoprotein levels and types,cholesterol, hormones, biological markers of disease, may be placedwithin vessels and sent to a testing facility for processing andanalysis. Some of these facilities may receive tens of thousands ofindividual samples vessels daily, with some receiving 50,000 or moreindividual samples daily. The sample vessel shipments may be received ata central processing area of a testing facility and placed into groupsbased on a particular testing criteria, such as the analysis or test tobe performed on the sample or the analysis unit of facility. Existingsystems for sorting such samples into test groups are often laborintensive for both the sending and receiving entities. Use of a robustsystem capable of sorting thousands of sample vessels daily would behighly advantageous to testing facilities. Furthermore, robust sortingsystem that is compact in design may be especially advantageous forminimizing labor required to maintain the system and for testingfacilities with limited operating space.

Similarly, existing methods are often labor intensive for both thesending and receiving entities. In some instances, a sending facilitymay pre-sort vessel shipments to aid in processing at the testingfacility. Use of a robust method capable of sorting thousands of samplevessels daily would therefore be advantageous to testing facilities aswell as sending facilities. Additionally, the ability to sort and testsamples quickly should minimize any potential for sample degradation andallow for the results to be sent back to the doctor and/or other medicalprofessionals more quickly.

Thus, by using the disclosed automated sorting systems and methods, thesorting of the large number of vessels at a testing facility may becompleted with greater speed and accuracy, thereby improving the overallcosts and reliability of a testing facility. By eliminating pre-sorting,shipping efficiency may be improved with the use of fewer shippingcontainers.

In certain embodiments, the invention may comprise a system for sortinga plurality of vessels. The system may comprise a sorting unitconfigured to sort a plurality of vessels and at least one runnerpositioned at an exit position of the sorting unit, wherein the at leastone runner may be configured to physically manipulate each of theplurality of vessels transfer each of the vessels to a designatedcollection point. In some embodiments, each vessel may be configured tohold a sample. In some embodiments, each vessel may comprise anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup into which the sample is to be sorted.

In certain embodiments, the sorting unit may comprise: (i) a firsttransfer belt configured to individually transport each of the pluralityof vessels from an entry position to a second position within thesorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the secondposition and configured to read the identification region on each of theplurality of vessels; (iii) an end component that receives the vesselfrom the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at the secondposition for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least one nestingbelt configured to position each of the plurality of scanned vessels fortransport to a designated collection point; and (v) a manipulatorconfigured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scannedvessels and individually transfer individual vessels from the endcomponent to the at least one nesting belt. In some embodiments, thescanning unit may comprise a reader that reads the identification regionand stores the information related to each of the vessels as the vesselis sorted by the system. In certain embodiments, each of the pluralityof vessels has a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the leading endcontacts the end component, aligns with the end component, and maintainssaid alignment when transferred to the at least one nesting belt. Insome embodiments, the position of the vessel on the nesting belt may bestored by the system. In some embodiments, the sorting group for each ofthe vessels and the position of each of the vessels on the nesting beltare relayed to the at least one runner. In some embodiments, the atleast one runner may transfer each of the vessels from the at least onenesting belt to a designated collection point.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vessels may comprise abiological sample. For example, the vessel may be a tube that iscylindrical in shape. Optionally, the sample tube may comprise a cap. Asused herein, the term “biological sample” encompasses any sampleobtained from a biological source. A biological sample can, by way ofnon-limiting example, include blood, amniotic fluid, sera, urine, feces,epidermal sample, skin sample, cheek swab, sperm, amniotic fluid,cultured cells, bone marrow sample and/or chorionic villi. Convenientbiological samples may be obtained by, for example, scraping cells fromthe surface of the buccal cavity. The term biological sample encompassessamples that have been processed to release or otherwise make availablea nucleic acid (e.g., cell free DNA or RNA) or protein for detection asdescribed herein. The biological sample may be obtained from a stage oflife such as a fetus, young adult, adult, and the like. The biologicalsample may be obtained from a non-human animal (e.g., cow, dog, cat),including veterinary samples. The biological sample may be obtained froman animal product (e.g., meat) or a plant product (e.g., crops such ascorn and the like). Fixed or frozen tissues also may be used. Thus, abiological sample may be a sample or specimen taken from a living being,such as a human patient. In many cases the sample could be a tissue orfluid specimen, such as blood, plasma, or urine. The vessels, inaddition to a biological sample, may further comprise variouspreservatives and anti-coagulants to preserve the sample duringprocessing and testing time.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vessels may comprise anenvironmental sample. As used herein, the term “environmental sample”encompasses any sample obtained from an environmental source. Anenvironmental sample can, by way of non-limiting example, include water(fresh, oceanic, or drinking), soil, plants, biological materials, andwastes (liquids, solids or sludge). In some embodiments, each of theplurality of vessels may be a geological sample container that iscylindrical in shape and comprises a cap. As used herein, the term“geological sample” encompasses any sample obtained from a geologicalsource. A geological sample can, by way of non-limiting example, includerock, ore, minerals, and sediment. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of vessels may be a chemical or pharmaceutical samplecontainer that is cylindrical in shape and comprises a cap. As usedherein, the term “chemical sample” encompasses any sample obtained froma chemical or pharmaceutical source. A chemical sample can, by way ofnon-limiting example, include liquids, slurries, solids (powder, pellet,or cake), gels, tablets, and wastes. For example, vessels may be used tocarry any suitable material, such as drugs used in screeningapplications, processing samples used to assess the conversion level,rocks or similar substances, and so on, and are not limited to carryingblood or other body or tissue samples.

The vessels to be sorted are often marked so that an optical scanner mayidentify each vessel by its marking, e.g., before the vessel is sortedinto its sorting group. In some embodiments, the identification regionof the vessel may comprise a bar code that represents an alphanumericstring. In certain embodiments, the bar code may comprise informationrelating to a specific sample analysis or sample sort group. In someembodiments, the sorting unit may assign the sorting group to each ofthe plurality of vessels based on the bar code information for eachvessel. For example, each test vessel may be marked with an indiciacontaining information, such as a bar code, which indicates identifyingdata, e.g., vessel identity, patient or source identity, the type ofsample, and the test to be run. Clinical testing laboratories mayreceive hundreds to thousands of biological samples per hour, and needto sort the vessels into sort groups such as by testing laboratorydepartment, e.g., histopathology, cytopathology, electron microscopy,clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, genetics, andreproductive biology. Further sorts may be needed to separate thesamples for particular tests to be run.

As discussed herein, the vessel may be a tube that is cylindrical inshape along a longitudinal axis. Optionally, the tube may comprise acap. The systems described herein may be configured to supply vesselshaving various shapes or dimensions. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of vessels may range in size from 75 millimeters (mm) to about125 mm in length and about 8 to about 16 mm in diameter. For example,the vessel may be 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, or 16 mm in diameter. Forexample, the vessel may be 75 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 110 mm, or 125mm in length.

In some embodiments, the scanning unit may comprise a rotational elementconfigured to rotate each of the plurality of vessels about thelongitudinal axis of the vessel to position the identification region sothat it can be scanned by the reader. In some embodiments, the systemmay be configured to detect an identifying indicia in an identificationregion that is associated with a vessel and to transport the vessel to acollection point based on the information contained in the indicia.

The reader and indicia in the identification region may take anysuitable form so that the indicia may exchange information to the readerin a one-way or two-way fashion. For example, the indicia may include abarcode or other marking that is read by the reader, e.g., using ascanning laser, video camera or other imaging device and associatedimage analysis circuitry, or other arrangement. Markings used forindicia may be made by any suitable method, such as written by hand orformed by a machine that etches, prints, applies a label or otherwiseforms the marking. In other embodiments, the indicia may include anactive or passive RFID tag or other device that is capable ofcommunicating with the reader using electromagnetic radiation or othersuitable medium. In another embodiment, the indicia may include physicalstructures that may be contacted by the reader, e.g., an arrangement ofbumps, grooves, tabs or other features that may be interpreted by thereader in a way similar to how a lock can detect the physical featuresof a key. Alternately, the reader may electrically contact the indicia,e.g., to detect a resistance or other electrical characteristic thatrepresents information. Other indicia arrangements are possible,including those using infrared light communication, wireless electroniccommunication, and so on. Information related to the sample that isrepresented by the indicia may relate to any desired characteristic ofthe vessel and/or the sample.

In some embodiments, the information of the identification region mayrelate to particular chemical, biological and/or other properties of thesample, an identity of the entity from which the sample was taken, anidentity of the laboratory or location where the sample was taken, ablood type, a volume of the sample, chemical identity, cellcharacteristics, molecular properties, and/or the like. Such informationmay or may not be unique to each sample. In some embodiments, theinformation may relate to identification of the particular vessel, e.g.,representing a vessel identity, vessel size, shape, or othercharacteristics. In some cases, the indicia may include informationbased on the type of test or analysis performed or to be performed onthe sample.

In some embodiments, an indicia may be suitably provided on the vesselafter the sample is placed in the vessel. The indicia may include theactual information itself, e.g., a name of a person, identity of testingfacility, the actual sample volume, etc., or the indicia may include areference used to locate or otherwise determine such information, e.g.,the indicia may include a number or other alphanumeric string that canbe used as an address to locate corresponding information in anappropriate database or other store. Information read from an indiciamay be stored or otherwise used, as desired. As an example, theinformation conveyed by an identification region of a vessel selectiondevice, e.g., an alphanumeric string read from the indicia may be storedtogether with other information.

In some embodiments, the reader may be configured to distinguish a firstidentifying indicia present on a first vessel from a second identifyingindicia present on a second vessel, or to distinguish a thirdidentifying indicia present on a third vessel from a fourth identifyingindicia present on a fourth vessel, etc., to distinguish indicia andsort the vessels to an infinite number of sort groups.

In some embodiments, the at least one nesting belt of the sorting unitadvances in timed intervals. In some cases, the timing of the intervalfor advancement may be associated with the availability of a runner tomanipulate and transfer each of the vessels. In other cases, the timingof the interval for advancement may be associated with the loading ofthe nesting belt, i.e., the nesting belt may not advance until aparticular stage is fully loaded. In some cases, the nesting belt mayadvance based on a maximum static period to ensure that samples ofparticular sorting groups that are time sensitive are promptly processedeven if the volume of those sorting groups is small.

In some embodiments, the at least one nesting belt may comprise aplurality of stages. In some embodiments, each stage may comprise a nesthaving at least one slot configured to accommodate a single vessel. Insome embodiments, each stage may comprise a nest having at least fourslots configured to each accommodate a single vessel. In someembodiments, the at least one slot may be configured to hold the singlevessel such that the longitudinal axis of the vessel is substantiallyhorizontal and aligned with the operating direction of the nesting belt.In some embodiments, each slot may be configured to hold an individualvessel such that the longitudinal axis of each vessel is substantiallyhorizontal and aligned with the operating direction of the nesting belt.In some embodiments, the slot may comprise a V-shape configuration,which may aid the runner to grasp each vessel from the slot of the nest.In some embodiments, the slot may range from 75 mm to about 125 mm inlength and about 8 to about 16 mm in diameter. For example, the slot maybe 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, or 16 mm in diameter. For example, thevessel may be 75 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 110 mm, or 125 mm in length.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of vessels may remain alignedto the leading end of the vessel when positioned in the at least oneslot. In some cases, the alignment may be determined by the position ofthe end component in relation to the nesting belt.

In some embodiments, some stages on the nesting belt are active andother stages are inactive. An inactive stage may comprise vessels withinthe slots of the nest, but have no manipulation of the vessels untiladvancement to a subsequent stage. An active stage may comprise sampleswithin the slots of the nest that are manipulated for transfer throughthe sorting system. In certain embodiments, stage 1 is an active loadingstage, wherein the manipulator physically manipulates each of theplurality of scanned vessels and individually transfers individualvessels from the end component of the first transfer belt to the nestingbelt. In certain embodiments, stage 2 is an inactive transition stage.In certain embodiments, one or more of stages 3, 4, 5, or 6 may be anactive stage and may be an exit position for the plurality of vessels toexit the sorting unit and be transferred to the at least one runner. Inan embodiment, a manipulator positioned at an exit position of thesorting unit may physically manipulate each of the plurality of scannedvessels and transfer each of the vessels from the active stage of the atleast one nesting belt to the runner for delivery to a designatedcollection point.

In some embodiments, the at least one stage of the nesting belt isconfigured to align with an operating path of the at least one runnersuch that the timed intervals of the nesting belt advancement allow therunner to remove each of the plurality of vessels from the slot prior toadvancement of the nesting belt to the next advancement interval orstage. In some embodiments, the operating path of the at least onerunner is substantially perpendicular to a direction of advancement ofthe nesting belt. Thus, in some embodiments, the direction ofadvancement of the nesting belt is approximately 180 degrees from adirection of the first transfer belt, and the at least one runner issubstantially perpendicular to both the first transfer belt and thenesting belt

In some embodiments, the system may comprise four or more nesting beltsand two or more runners. In some embodiments, the system may compriseeight or more nesting belts and four or more runners. In systems withmultiple runners, the operating paths of each runner may besubstantially parallel to the path of the other runners. Additionally,the operating path of each runner may align with at least one of theactive stages of the nesting belt. This parallel arrangement andalignment with the nesting belt may permit a runner to manipulate andtransfer vessels from other nesting belts that were originally assignedto a different runner. This flexibility and redundancy may permit thesystem to continue to operate in the event one or more runners may bedown for maintenance or repair.

In some embodiments, the at least one runner may comprise a plurality ofmanipulators, such as but not limited to, grippers, such that each ofthe plurality of vessels on the nest is individually manipulated by apair of grippers. In certain embodiments, the at least one runner mayfurther comprise two gripper heads, wherein the plurality of grippersare arranged within each of the gripper heads. In some embodiments, onlyone gripper head may be engaged to manipulate the vessels from thenesting belt under normal conditions. In such cases, the second gripperhead may be used for redundancy. For systems comprising more than onerunner, the second gripper head may be engaged on a first runner if asecond runner was removed from service, e.g. for maintenance andrepairs. In some embodiments, both gripper heads may be engaged tomanipulate the vessels from more than one nesting belt as part of thestandard operation of the unit. In some embodiments, the plurality ofgrippers may operate independently to allow for the at least one runnerto individually engage each of the plurality of vessels.

In some embodiments, the operating path of the at least one runnertraverses to the designated collection point for the sorting group ofthe vessel. In some embodiments, the system may be comprised of aplurality of designated collection points, wherein each collection pointcomprises a collection container, and wherein a sorting group isassigned to one or more collection containers. In certain embodiments,the runner may transport each of the plurality of vessels from the sloton the nest to the assigned collection container and disengage with thevessel when the runner is aligned with the assigned collection containeras determined by the sorting group information of the vessel.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise: two nesting beltscomprising a first nesting belt and a second nesting belt, wherein thefirst and second nesting belts are positioned adjacent to one anotherand each nesting belt is configured to advance independently of theother nesting belt. In some embodiments, each nesting belt may compriseat least two active stages and each stage comprises a nest having two ormore slots. In an embodiment each slot is configured to accommodate asingle vessel. In some embodiments, the two runners comprise a firstrunner and a second runner, wherein the first runner is configured tophysically manipulate some of the plurality of scanned vessels andtransfer the manipulated plurality of vessels from a first active stage,and the second runner is configured to physically manipulate some of theplurality of the scanned vessels and transfer the manipulated pluralityof vessels from a second active stage. In certain embodiments, the firstactive stage of the nesting belts may be configured to align with anoperating path of the first runner such that the operating path of thefirst runner is substantially perpendicular to the first active stageand the second active stage of the nesting belt is configured to alignwith an operating path of the second runner such that the such that theoperating path of the second runner is substantially perpendicular tothe second active stage. In some embodiments, each of the nesting beltsis configured to advance at timed intervals that provide for the firstand second runners to remove designated vessels from the slots of thenest prior to advancement of the nesting belt to the next stageposition. Also, in some embodiments the system may be configured torelay the sort group for each of the plurality of vessels and theposition of each of the plurality of vessels on each nesting belt to thefirst and/or second runners Also in some embodiments, the first andsecond runners are configured to transport the plurality of vessels fromthe slots on the nests to collection containers, each container havingan assigned sorting group, and to disengage with each of the pluralityof vessels when the runner is aligned with the assigned collectioncontainer as determined by the sorting group information of each of theplurality of vessels.

The systems described herein may be modular in design. The number ofnesting belts within a sorting unit may vary; some systems may comprisea single nesting belt unit while others may comprise two, four, eight,or more nesting belts. The number of sorting units within the system mayvary; some systems may comprise a single sorting unit while others maycomprise two, four, or more sorting units. The number of runners withinthe system may vary; some system may comprise a single runner whileothers may comprise two, four, or more runners. The number of collectionpoints and collection containers may also vary within the system. Incertain embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of sortingunits, wherein the sorting units are adjacent to one another such thatthe stages of the nesting belts are aligned. In some embodiments, thesorting unit may comprise two, four, or more readers, each readercapable of handling and reading single vessels in rapid succession.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise four sorting units, whereineach sorting unit comprises two nesting belts comprising a first nestingbelt and a second nesting belt, wherein the first and second nestingbelts are adjacent to one another and each nesting belt is configured toadvance independently of the other nesting belts, wherein each nestingbelt comprises at least two active stages and each stage comprises anest having two or more slots, wherein the nesting belts of the foursorting units are configured to operate independently from one anotherand the stages of the nesting belts are aligned.

In some embodiments, the system may further comprise four runners,wherein each runner is configured to physically manipulate and transfervessels from a single active stage, wherein the designated active stageof the nesting belts is configured to align with an operating path ofthe associated runner such that the operating path of the associatedrunner is substantially perpendicular to the designated active stage andwherein each of the nesting belts is configured to advance at timedintervals that provide for the associated runner to remove each of theplurality of positioned vessels from the slots of the nest prior toadvancement of the nesting belt to the next stage position. For example,where four runners are used, there may be a first and second runnerpositioned parallel to each other and advancing (i.e., moving away fromthe sorter) in opposite direction (e.g., direction “A” at 0 degrees)from a third and fourth runner (i.e., direction “B” at 180 degrees fromdirection A).

In certain embodiments, the system may comprise for more than foursorting units and more than four runners. In some cases, the nestingbelt may comprise a plurality of active stages, with the number ofactive stages proportional to the number of runners. In someembodiments, the collection units may be configured to be double stackedvertically, four or more high, in a staggered formation. In some casesthe system may comprise a mezzanine configured to provide access to anupper set of collection units. In some cases, the sorting unit, runners,and feed unit may be configured to have an increased elevation to alignwith the elevated collection units.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to relay the sortgroup for each of the plurality of vessels and the position of each ofthe plurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners. In suchembodiments, the runners are configured to transport each of theplurality of vessels from the slots on the nests to collectioncontainers, each container having an assigned sorting group, and therunners are configured to disengage with each of the plurality ofvessels when the runner is aligned with the assigned collectioncontainer as determined by the sorting group information of each of theplurality of vessels. In some embodiments, the system may comprise foursorting units and four runners as described above.

In some embodiments, the nesting belts of the multiple sorting units areparallel and adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, each runnermay be associated with a single active stage for two nesting belts ofseparate sorting units.

In some embodiments, the system may further comprise an A-side and aB-side, wherein the A-side and the B-side are positioned about 180degrees to either side of the nesting belt or belts. In someembodiments, the collection containers of the system are divided suchthat approximately one half of the containers are located on the A-sideand one half on the B-side of the system. In some embodiments, thesorting unit may assign a collection container location (A or B), arunner location, and a distance to travel in order to deliver eachvessel to the appropriate collection container.

In some embodiments, the manipulators may be configured to select thefirst or second nesting belt for placement of each of the plurality ofvessels according to the sorting group identified by the reader and thelocation of the collection container for the sorting group of each ofthe plurality of vessels. As noted above, in certain embodiments, two ofthe runners may be configured to transport to the A-side of the systemand two of the runners transport to the B-side of the system. In someembodiments, the sort groups may be distributed to the A-side and B-sideto balance the demand of the runners. In some embodiments, thecollection containers may be distributed according to sample groupfrequency to minimize the operating path of the runners.

In some embodiments, the first nesting belt may be associated with theA-side and a second nesting belt is associated with the B-side. In someembodiments, the first nesting belt may be associated with the B-sideand a second nesting belt is associated with the A-side. In someembodiments, each runner may be configured to manipulate and transferseach of the plurality of vessels from each of the sorting units.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the operating paths of the runnersmay be parallel to one another. The parallel design enables each of therunners to operate independently of the other runners, that is, theoperating paths of the runners do not cross and the position and statusof the other runners may not need to be considered by a given runner.

The system described herein may be modular in design. In someembodiments, the system has a throughput of more than 8,000 vessels perhour. In other embodiments, the system has a throughput of more than1,000, more than 2,000, more than 3,000, more than 4,000, more than5,000, more than 8,000, more than 10,000, more than 16,000, more than20,000, or more than 30,000 vessels per hour. In some embodiments, thesystem has a throughput of 1,000 to 30,000 vessels per hour, 2,000 to16,000 vessels per hour, or 3,000 to 8,000 vessels per hour. The systemis designed to minimize human interaction during the supplying of thevessels.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to sort the pluralityof vessels into up to 216 sort groups. Or, in some embodiments, morethan 216 sort groups may be used. In some embodiments, the number ofsort groups may be related on the number of collection containers in aparticular sorting system. The number of sort groups may be equivalentto the number of collection containers. In other embodiments, the numberof sort groups may be less than the number of collection containers,that is, some sort groups may be associated with more than onecollection container. It will be understood that where the collectionpoint is configured to contain more or fewer collection containers, thenumber of sort groups may vary accordingly. In some embodiments, thesystem comprises any number of sort groups from two to 1000 sort groups.In some embodiments, the system comprises one receiving container foreach sort group. In other embodiments, the system comprises more thanone collection container for each sort group. For example, a number ofcontainers may be assigned to a sort group based on the frequency withwhich a particular test is run. The design of collection point withinthe system is modular with both the number of sort groups and collectioncontainers. In some examples, the system may comprise up to 36 sortgroups and up to 36 collection containers. For other systems, the numberof sort groups may range from 2 sort groups up to 216 sort groups, e.g.,36 sort groups, 72 sort groups, 108 sort groups, 144 sort groups, 180sort groups, or 216 sort groups. Likewise, the number of collectioncontainers may range from up to 216 containers, e.g., 36, 72, 108, 144,180, or 216 containers. There is no requirement that the number ofcontainers equal the number of sort groups. Generally, the system may beconfigured such that there are fewer sort groups than containers (i.e.,several containers are used for one sort group). In some embodiments,there may be more sort groups than containers; in such an embodiment,some of the sort groups may need to be deferred to another container(e.g., as discussed in detail here) for subsequent sorting. In oneexample, the collection point may comprise 180 collection containers and120 sort groups.

In some embodiments, the collection point may comprise a collection bankconfigured to hold the collection containers. In some embodiments, thesystem may comprise a plurality of collection banks.

In certain embodiments, the designated collection point may furthercomprise a bin, container, or other type of receptacle. The receptaclemay comprise a plurality of chutes, wherein each chute is paired with aunique collection container. In some embodiments, the system may beconfigured to permit each of the plurality of sorted vessels to travelthrough one of the chutes to the assigned collection container uponbeing disengaged from the runner. In some embodiments, the chute may beconfigured to reorient the vessel from a substantially horizontalposition to a substantially vertical position. For example, in generalthe vessel may retain a substantially horizontal position whenmanipulated by the runner and as the runner traverses to the designatedcollection container at collection point. Moreover, the alignment of thevessels to the leading end of the vessel may be retained when the vesselis manipulated by the runner and as the runner traverses to thedesignated collection container at collection point (e.g., vesselspositioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the runnermay maintain that orientation as they are being transferred from thesorter to the collection container. This alignment may affect thetransfer of the vessel to the collection container through the pluralityof chutes.

In certain embodiments, the top opening of each chute may be configuredto be accessible to more than one runner, e.g., each chute may beconfigured to be accessible to two runners, but the bottom opening mayonly be able to access one container. In this way, the chuteconfiguration permits a designated collection to be traversed by morethan one runner. This configuration not only improves efficiency of thesystem, but also permits redundancy in the event that one runner is outof service for repairs or maintenance.

It may be desirable for the system to have a small footprint, whichminimizes the space required, but also allows a large number ofcollection containers to be served by runners with shortened operationalpaths. A small footprint also allows an operator to access differentparts of the system without having to traverse large distances.

Receiving Systems

Described herein are systems and methods for receiving a plurality ofvessels. The invention may be embodied in a variety of ways.

Vessel receiving systems capable of consistently individually receivinga large volume of sample vessels from an upstream process can greatlyimprove operating costs and efficiency. For example, samples that areused for research and/or analysis applications may be placed withinvessels and sent to a testing facility for processing and analysis. Someof these facilities may receive tens of thousands of individual samplesvessels daily. By using an automated sorting system in conjunction withan automated receiving system, the sorting of the large number ofvessels at a testing facility may be completed with greater speed andaccuracy, thereby improving the overall costs and reliability of atesting facility. Other upstream processes may also benefit from a highspeed system to receive and segregate vessels in an individual mannerand for further processing.

In certain embodiments, the invention may comprise a system forreceiving a plurality of vessels. A system for receiving a plurality ofvessels may comprise: a collection bank configured to receive aplurality of vessels. The collection bank may comprise a plurality ofchutes. The chutes may be formed by arranging an alignment componentadjacent to an encasing panel. In some cases, a plurality of alignmentcomponents may be arranged adjacent to a plurality of encasing panels toform a plurality of chutes. The alignment component may comprise raisedportions configured to direct or funnel a vessel from a first locationto a second location. When an encasing panel is arranged adjacent to analignment component, the encasing panel may contact the raised portionsand a chute is formed. When the alignment component is in contact withan encasing panel, one or more gaps, openings, or entrances may beaccessible at the top and a gap, opening, or exit may be accessible atthe bottom of the chute. A vessel may enter the chute from either of thetop openings, travel through the chute where the vessel contacts theraised portion of the alignment component, and exit the chute at thebottom opening. As the vessel travels through the chute, the orientationof the vessel may be altered through contact with the raised portions.For example, in certain embodiments, a vessel may enter a top opening ina substantially horizontal orientation according to a longitudinal axisof the vessel, contact a diverter located between the one or moreopenings and/or contact a two-step feature of the raised portion whichchanges the orientation from horizontal toward vertical to direct thevessel through the chute. The raised portion of the alignment componentmay become closer together toward the bottom of the alignment componentsuch that the width of the chute decreases from top to bottom. As thevessel proceeds through the chute, the vessel may continue to contactthe raised portions and continue to change orientation until the vesselis in a substantially vertical orientation according to a longitudinalaxis at the bottom opening or exit of the exit of the chute.

The collection bank may further comprise a plurality of collectioncontainers comprising an opening and a support structure configured tohouse each of the plurality of alignment components, encasing panels,and collection containers. In some embodiments, each of the plurality ofalignment components may be configured to individually direct each ofthe plurality of vessels from an entry position to a collection pointwithin the collection bank. In some embodiments, each of the pluralityof encasing panels may be configured to enclose each of the plurality ofalignment components.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of containers may beconfigured to receive and hold each of the plurality of vessels at aparticular collection point. In some cases, each of the plurality ofcontainers may be configured to transport the collected vessels foradditional processing or analysis. In some cases, each vessel may beconfigured to hold a sample.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of alignment components maybe configured to reorient each of the plurality of vessels from asubstantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.In certain embodiments, an alignment component may be bidirectional. Insuch cases, the alignment component may comprise a first side and asecond side with a divider separating the first side from the secondside. The first side and the second side may each comprise raisedportions that form a chute when adjacent to an encasing panel. In otherembodiments, an alignment component may comprise only one side withraised portions while the other side has no raised portion similar to anencasing panel.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of alignment components andencasing panels may be configured in a row and positioned in a verticalorientation with an encasing panel separating each of the plurality ofalignment components in the row and an encasing panel at each end of therow. In some examples, the plurality of encasing panels and alignmentcomponents are configured to contact each other to form a plurality ofchutes that are each configured to reorient a vessel from asubstantially horizontal orientation to a substantially verticalorientation for delivery into a collection container. In some cases, thereorientation can provide for improved movement of the vessels withinthe system, such as faster processing times and fewer vesselobstructions, to increase efficiency of the collection system. Forexample, in an embodiment, the reorientation prevents vessels fromblocking the opening of the collection container as can happen if thevessels are not oriented in a substantially vertical orientation (e.g.,having the length of the vessel perpendicular to the container opening).

In some embodiments of the alignment component, the raised portion of afirst side may different than the raised portion of a second side. Insome embodiments, the raised portion of a first side may the same as theraised portion of a second side. In some cases, the chute formed by thefirst side may direct vessels to a proximate area of the collectionsystem while a chute formed by the second side may direct vessels to adistal area of the collection system. In some embodiments, the depth ofthe raised portion is greater than the vessel diameter to facilitateorientation of the vessel. In certain embodiments, the first side andsecond side of each of the plurality of alignment components eachcomprise a raised portion, where the raised portion may be configured toform a chute and provide a contact surface to reorient and funnel eachof the plurality of vessels within the chute towards the opening of acollection container.

In some embodiments, the support structure may comprise at least onecontainer shelf configured to hold the plurality of collectioncontainers. In certain embodiments, the shelf may comprise a series ofslots configured to align with the opening of each of the plurality ofcollection containers when the containers are placed in the system. Suchslots may facilitate aligning the collection container openings with theexit point of the alignment component. Additionally, such slots mayprovide stability for the collection containers on the shelf. In someembodiments, the collection bank comprises an upper container shelf anda lower container shelf. In certain embodiments, the slots of the upperand lower container shelf may be offset such that the upper slots areapproximately one half a container width offset from the lower slots.This offset can allow for a more compact arrangement of chutes andcollection containers to help reduce the footprint of the collectionsystem.

In some embodiments, the collection bank further comprises at least onepositioning bar configured to align each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents in the support structure. In some cases, the collection bankmay comprise a set of upper positioning bars and a set of lowerpositioning bars. In some embodiments, the collection bank may furthercomprise a connector tube, where the connector tube is configured toprotrude from the slots in the container shelf and connect the openingof each of the plurality of collection containers to a designated chute.

In some embodiments, the collection unit comprises a cover configured toprovide access to the collection containers and alignment components. Inone example, the cover panel may be easy to open, yet provide protectionfrom dust and other substances and prevent foreign objects from enteringthe collection unit. In certain examples, the cover panel may includegull wing door or other types of covers. Optionally, the cover mayprovide visibility to the system when the cover is closed.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of alignment components andencasing panels may be configured to align in a row on the supportstructure such that a pair of alignment components and encasing panelsproduce a confined space or chute configured to funnel vessels from thetop of each of the plurality of alignment components to the bottom ofeach of the plurality of alignment components. In an embodiment,identifying indicia on the vessel is used to determine which vesselsenter which chute. In some examples, the bottom outlet of the chute maybe approximately the same size as the opening of one of the collectioncontainers and a connector tube. Optionally, the containers are arrangedon a support structure that comprises a top and a bottom containershelf. In some cases, each of the plurality of alignment components hasa first side and a second side, where the first side of each of theplurality of alignment components and encasing panels funnel each of theplurality of vessels through a chute to a designated collectioncontainer staged on the front side of the system and the second side ofeach of the plurality of alignment components and encasing panels funneleach of the plurality of vessels through a chute to designatedcollection container staged on the rear side of the system. In somecases, the connector tube may be configured to protrude from the slotsin each container shelf and connect the opening of each of the pluralityof collection containers to the confined space of each pair of theplurality of alignment components and encasing panels.

In some examples, an inlet of the chute may be wider than an outlet ofthe chute. In certain examples, the distance between the raised portionat the top of the chute may approximate the length of a tube and thedistance between the raised portion at the bottom may approximate thewidth of the tube. For example, for typical clinical tubes the inlet ofthe chute may range from 13 to about 20 cm. The width of the outlet mayapproximate the diameter of the vessel that is being delivered via thechute (e.g., about 1 cm to about 2.5 cm). In this way, the chute maydeliver vessels that are held in a first position (e.g., substantiallyhorizontal) to a position which is about 90 degrees from the originalorientation (e.g., substantially vertical).

In some embodiments, each chute may be configured to direct each of theplurality of vessels from a plurality of entry points to a singlecollection point. In some embodiments, the chute further comprises adiverter configured to direct each of the plurality of vessels to afront or rear section of each alignment component. In certainembodiments, the chute further comprises a two-step feature at the rearside to further direct and reorient each of the plurality of vesselsentering the chute from a rear entry point. In some embodiments, thechute may further comprise a substantially vertical section and thediverter may be angled away from the two-step feature. In someembodiments, a diverter on the second side of the alignment componentmay be substantially diamond-shaped, but other shapes may be used. Insome examples, each of the plurality of alignment components furthercomprises a notch at the bottom of the front edge configured to alignthe plurality of alignment components within the system.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for guiding an article, may comprise araised portion in a substantially Y-shape and a first side and a secondside, wherein the raised portion provides a contact surface for thearticle and is configured to direct an article from a top of theapparatus to an outlet at the bottom of the apparatus. In someembodiments, the raised portion forming the chute ranges from 1 to about10 cm in depth (i.e., width from the first side to the second side). Incertain embodiments, the chute may be about 3 cm to about 4 cm in depth.

In some embodiments, the systems described herein may further comprise ashield configured to cover the systems. In certain embodiments, theshield may be substantially transparent. In one example, the system hasa cover, such as gull wing doors or other doors, that are easy to open,yet provide protection from dust or other substances.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of sensors thatprovide feedback to a central processing unit. In some embodiments, afeeding system may comprise sensors related to the level in a presortingcontainer such as a bin or feed bin and vessel motion on a transporterand/or transfer belt that may be used to deliver vessels to an entrypoint of the collection system. The system may slow or stop portions ofsystem or may reallocate assignments within the system based on thefeedback received from a plurality of sensors.

Collection Apparatus

Also described herein is an apparatus for collecting and transporting aplurality of vessels. The collection-transport apparatus may be embodiedin a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise asubstantially rectangular base and walls connected to the base, wherethe base and walls define an interior volume of the apparatus. The wallsmay comprise a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a secondside wall. The apparatus may further comprise a top connected to thefirst side wall and second side wall, where the top comprises a firsttop surface and a second top surface that are substantiallyperpendicular to the first side wall and second side wall. In someembodiments, the substantially rectangular base may provide stability sothat the container will not overturn, even when filled with samplevessels. In some embodiments, the sidewalls may be straight forefficient packing for accepting vessels for space-efficient systems,such as a high-throughput vessel sorting systems.

The apparatus may be portable and comprise a first handle connected tothe first top surface and second top surface and a second handleconnected to the rear wall of the apparatus. In certain embodiments, thefirst handle may be substantially coplanar with the first top surface ofthe apparatus. In some embodiments, the second handle may besubstantially perpendicular to the first handle. Optionally, the firsthandle may be connected to the second handle. In some examples, thefirst handle aligns with the top of the apparatus for ease of carryingthe apparatus, even when the container is filled with vessels. In someembodiments, the first handle may be hollow, and may be separated fromthe interior volume of the apparatus by the second top surface toprevent an implement vessel from entering the handle. The second handlemay provide a secondary gripping point for transporting an apparatusthat is filled or partially filled with vessels. The second handle mayallow an operator of a vessel sorting system to remove the apparatusfrom a collection shelf along a horizontal path to decrease the spacerequirements of the sorting and collection system.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a panel thatdefines an opening. The apparatus may be configured to receive aplurality of implements through the opening. In some examples, theimplements comprise sample vessels, including biological sample vessels.In certain embodiments, the opening may be substantially rectangular inshape and the panel may be connected to the first top surface to thefront wall. In other embodiments, the opening may be circular or oval inshape. In some cases, the panel with the opening may be positioned at anapproximately 45 degree angle from the first top surface, and may bemated to a chute which may direct vessels into the apparatus. Forexample, the panel with the opening may be positioned at anapproximately 30 degree, 35 degree, 40 degree, 45 degree, 50 degree, 55degree, or 60 degree angle. In some embodiments, the angle of openingallows for horizontal movement of the apparatus away from a chute andconnector tube without requiring movement or adjustment of the chute.Optionally, the panel may further comprise a lip at the edge of theopening, where the lip may be configured to mate with a cap.

The systems described herein may be configured to supply vessels havingvarious shapes or dimensions. In some embodiments, each of the pluralityof vessels may range in size from 75 millimeters (mm) to about 125 mm inlength and about 8 to about 16 mm in diameter. For example, the vesselmay be 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, or 16 mm in diameter. For example, thevessel may be 75 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 110 mm, or 125 mm in length.

In some examples, a size of the opening ranges from 5 to 25 centimeters(cm) in width and 5 cm to 25 cm in height. In some examples, the widthof the opening is 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23cm, 24 cm, or 25 cm. In some examples, the height of the opening is 5cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, or 25 cm.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise an injection moldableplastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), nylon polyamide (PA), polycarbonate,polypropylene, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), acetal, or high impactpolystyrene. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may be a collectioncontainer in a sorting system or collection system. In some examples,the apparatus may be a collection bin.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of collection containersmay comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. In some cases,the RFID tag may be configured to receive location and vesselinformation when each of the plurality of containers is loaded in thesupport structure.

In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of collection containersmay be configured to be associated with a chute formed by one of theplurality of encasing panels and one of the plurality of alignmentcomponents, where the association may be based on a sorting parameter(i.e., such as an indicia that identifies the type of sample or the typeof analysis to be performed on the sample) of each of the plurality ofvessels.

Feeding System

Described herein are systems and methods for supplying a plurality ofvessels. The invention may be embodied in a variety of ways.

Vessel supply systems capable of consistently supplying a large volumeof sample vessels into a downstream process individually, with thevessel orientation aligned with the requirements of the downstreamprocesses (e.g., sorting units) can greatly improve operating costs andefficiency. For example, samples that are used for research and/oranalysis applications may be placed within vessels and sent to a testingfacility for processing and analysis. By using an automated sortingsystem in conjunction with an automated supply system, the sorting ofthe large number of vessels at a testing facility may be completed withgreater speed and accuracy, thereby improving the efficiency andreliability of a testing facility while reducing operating cost. Otherdownstream processes may also benefit from a high speed system to supplyvessels that have been sorted from a random mass, and have beenindividuated and realigned from a random orientation to the orientationrequired by the process.

In certain embodiments, the system may further comprise at least onefeeding system configured to supply a plurality of vessels to the entryposition of the at least one sorting unit. In some embodiments, thefeeding system may comprise a feed bin, at least one transporter, and atleast one second transfer belt. In some cases, the feed bin may besubstantially trapezoidal in shape and comprise a bottom surface, asubstantially open top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side. TheA-side and B-side of the feeding system may be the same as, or differentthan, the A-side and B-side of the sorting unit. In some embodiments,the feed bin may be configured to feed each of the plurality of vesselsfrom an entry position at the top of the feed bin to at least one edgeposition of the bottom surface. In certain embodiments, the at least onetransporter may be positioned at least one of the A-side or the B-sideof the feed bin. In an embodiment, the A-side and the B-side of the binare on opposite sides of the bin. In some embodiments, the at least onetransporter may be configured to receive each of the plurality ofvessels from the at least one edge position and transport each of thevessels to the second transfer belt. In some embodiments, at least onesecond transfer belt may be positioned at the exit of the at least onetransporter and at or near the top of the bin. In some embodiments, thesecond transfer belt may be configured to receive at least some of theplurality of vessels from at least one transfer point and individuallytransfer individual vessels from the at least one transfer point to abin exit position within the system. In some examples, bin exit positionwithin the system may be a second transfer belt.

In some embodiments, the systems comprise a feed bin that is operable toreceive a plurality of unsorted vessels. The feed bin may be largeenough to hold vessels in the quantity shipped and received. The feedbin may be large enough to hold vessels in large range typical ofquantity shipped to and received by a large commercial testing facility.For example, in some embodiments, the feed bin may be configured to holdat least 30, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, or more vessels. In someembodiments, the plurality of vessels may comprise a random orientationupon entry into the feed bin. In some embodiments, the feed bin may beconfigured to gravity-feed the vessels to the transporter, such as byhaving sloped sides and/or a non-flat bottom surface. In some cases, anoperator or a robot may load the unsorted and unoriented vessels in thefeed bin. In some embodiments, the feed bin may comprise a substantiallytrapezoidal shape, with a smaller bottom surface than top.

In some embodiments, the feed bin may further comprise an interior slopedue to the slope of the A-sides and B-sides configured to direct each ofthe vessels toward the bottom of the feed bin. In certain embodiments,the bottom of the feed bin may comprise a wedge configured to direct theplurality of vessels to the edge of the bottom of the bin and onto theat least one transporter. In some embodiments, the wedge may be locatednear the center of the bottom surface of the feed bin and may beconfigured to direct the plurality of vessels to both the A-side andB-side of the feed bin. In some embodiments, the distribution of theplurality of vessels may be substantially balanced, such that the feedbin directs approximately one-half of the plurality of vessels to theA-side of the feed bin. In certain embodiments, the feed bin may furthercomprise a front side and a rear side, wherein the feed bin isconfigured to receive the plurality of vessels for feeding at either thefront side or the rear side. In some embodiments, the feed bin mayfurther comprise at least one angled corner element positioned at theconvergence of the A-sides and B-sides and the front and back sides ofthe feeder bin and having a slope 45 degrees or more from the vertical.In some embodiments, the system may comprise more than one feed bin.

The transporter may be configured to orient each of the plurality ofvessels during transfer from the feeder bin to the second transfer belt.In some embodiments, an operating path of the at least one transfer beltmay be substantially perpendicular to a direction of advancement of theat least one transporter. In some embodiments, the transporter may be astaircase singulator or step feeder, although other transporters can beused. In certain embodiments, the at least one transporter may comprisea series of steps configured to individually transfer each of theplurality of vessels from one step to the next step in the series. Insome embodiments, each step comprises a ledge and riser, wherein eachriser may be configured to: (i) lift each of the plurality of vesselsfrom the bottom edge surface of the bin to an elevation stage adjacentto the ledge of the next step of the at least one transporter; (ii)transfer each vessel to that ledge, and (iii) return back to the bottomsurface of the bin. In certain embodiments, the height of the elevationstage is greater than the height of the ledge of the next step in theseries. In some cases, the depth of the ledges of the steps areconfigured to decrease through the transporter, with the ledge of thelower step being deeper than the ledge of the upper step. Multiplevessels may become arranged on the lowest step in a random fashion andrise to the next ledge in the series of steps. As the depth decreases,only those vessels aligned with the ledge may proceed on the riser tothe subsequent ledge in the series. Vessels not aligned, may tumble backinto the feed bin among the plurality of vessels. The alignment andtumbling action aid in the random nature of the feed system describedherein.

In some cases, the steps may be configured to align each of theplurality of vessels in a single file arrangement and/or in anend-to-end arrangement at the at least one transfer point. In someembodiments, each ledge and each riser are each configured to hold morethan one vessel in a horizontal and longitudinally tandem fashionparallel to the A and B-sides of the bin. In some embodiments, the ledgeand the riser of each step may be configured to bevel away from the feedbin toward the back of the transporter to bias the vessel to stay on theledge toward the back of the step. In some cases, the bevel angle isapproximately 10 degrees. In other cases, the bevel angle may be 5degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, or any degree between 5 and25 degrees.

In some embodiments, each ledge and each riser may further comprise awavy surface configured to align each of the plurality of vessels in asubstantially horizontal orientation with the longitudinal axis of thevessel along the ledge or riser. In some cases, the wavy surface mayhave a sinusoidal shape. In some cases, the wavy surface may comprise aseries of triangular shapes, sharp peaks, or rounded peaks. In someembodiments, the wavy surface may be configured to return each of theplurality of vessels not oriented in a substantially horizontalorientation back into the feeding bin. In certain embodiments, theseries of steps are configured to operate together as a unit, rising andlowering at the same time. In some embodiments, the final step and exitof the at least one transporter is substantially aligned with the atleast one transfer belt. In some cases, the surface of the ledge andriser comprises a plastic material. In some cases, the surface of theledge and riser does not comprise a non-stick material or a fluorinatedmaterial.

In some embodiments, the speed of the first transfer belt of the sortingunit may operate at a greater than a speed of the second transfer beltof the feeding system. The difference in the speed of the belts cangenerate a timing gap within the feed system. In some embodiments, atiming gap between the speed of the first and second transfer belts maybe substantially the same as the time for reading the identificationregion of the vessel. In some embodiments, the timing gap may be greaterthan the time for the reading of the vessel information. In someembodiments, the second transfer belt may be configured to seek acondition state of the first transfer belt to determine an operatingstate of the second transfer belt. In particular, the second transferbelt may confirm that the first transfer belt is operating and requestfeedback on the speed of the belt. By checking the condition stateswithin the system, the system may prevent bottlenecks and undesirablejams within the system.

In some embodiments, the first transfer belt comprises a rubberizedmaterial. In some embodiments, the second transfer belt comprises arubberized material. In certain embodiments, the rubberized material ofthe second transfer belt may comprise a plurality of raised elementsconfigured to assist in the transfer of vessels. These raised elementsmay be configured perpendicular to the operating direction of the beltto bump each of the vessels and begin to move the vessels forward on thebelt.

In some cases, each the plurality of vessels includes more than oneidentifying indicia. In some cases, the system may be configured to feedthe plurality of vessels in a random nature. By feeding the downstreamprocesses randomly, the loading of a subsequent system (e.g., a sortingsystem) being supplied may be better balanced. For example, if thedownstream system sorted the vessels into groups, the system may becomebottlenecked if the feed system fed a slug or group of vessels alldesignated to the same sort group at the same time.

In some embodiments, the system may comprise two feed bins. In someembodiments, the system may comprise more than two feed bins. In someembodiments, the feed system may comprise at least one transporters andat least one second transfer belt. In certain embodiments, the feedsystem may comprise two transporters and two second transfer belts,where one transporter and one second transfer belt pair are associatedwith the A-side of the feed bin and the second transporter and secondsecond transfer belt pair are associated with the B-side of the feedbin.

In some embodiments, the feed bin comprises a cover panel configured toprovide access to the feeder bin. In some embodiments, system mayfurther comprise a shield configured to cover the system. In certainembodiments, the shield may be substantially transparent. In oneexample, the system has a cover, such as gull wing doors, that are easyto open, yet provide protection from dust or other substances andprevent foreign objects from entering the feed system. Optionally, thecover may provide visibility to the system when the cover is closed.

In certain embodiments, the feeding system may further comprise aninspection table or ledge adjacent to the feed bin. The inspection tablemay be configured to control at least part of the vessels that enter andexit the bin. For example, the inspection table may provide for theshipment of vessels to be evaluated for quality, contamination, andforeign objects prior to loading the plurality vessels into the feedbin. In some cases, the inspection table may be configured to permitremoval of each vessel not meeting system requirements. The inspectiontable may also provide for the shipment of vessels to be evaluated forcompatibility with the sorting system prior to loading the feed bin.

In some embodiments, the system may be configured to return vessels tothe feeding bin that are fed to the sorting unit, but that are unable tobe sorted. Vessels may be returned for various conditions. For example,vessels with information not readable by the reader may be returned tothe feeding bin. In some embodiments, vessels that are not readable bythe reader may be sorted in a designated generic group for subsequentsorting. Having a designated generic group for unreadable vessels mayimprove the efficiency of the system by eliminating re-feeding the sameunreadable vessel to the system. In some examples, vessels with noactive collection point may be returned to the feeding bin. Thecollection point may be inactive because no collection container ispositioned when the reader reads the vessel. The collection point may beinactive because the collection container is full, no collectioncontainer is designated for the sorting group of the vessel, or thecollection container is otherwise unavailable to receive the vessel whenthe vessel is read by the reader. The collection point may be inactivebecause the vessel has no identified sorting group. In some embodiments,vessels without a designated sorting group may be sorted in a designatedgeneric group for subsequent sorting. Having a designated generic groupfor vessels without a sorting group may improve the efficiency of thesystem by eliminating re-feeding the same undesignated vessels to thesystem. Additionally, in some embodiments, the system may be configuredto return vessels that are not engaged by a runner to the feeding bin.The runner may not engage vessels because the runner is out of serviceor the collection container became unavailable between the time of thereader read the vessel and the runner should engage the vessel.

Sensors

In some embodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of sensors thatprovide feedback to a central processing unit. In some embodiments, thesorting unit may comprise sensors related to conditions for themanipulator position, manipulator grippers, the end component, thereader, the placement of vessels on the transfer belts, among others. Insome embodiments, the feeding system may comprise sensors related to thelevel in the feed bin, and/or vessel motion on the transporter and/ortransfer belt. In certain embodiments, the collection bank may comprisesensors related to the flow path within the chute, transfer path to thecollection container, and container position. In some embodiments, therunner may comprise sensors related to runner position and status anoperating path. The system may slow or stop portions of system or mayreallocate assignments within the system based on the feedback receivedfrom the plurality of sensors.

In some embodiments, the collection system may include various sensorsto provide feedback on the system status to an operator or monitoringsystem. In some embodiments, the support structure may comprise anindicator light for each of the plurality of collection containers,where the light may be configured to provide feedback on an operatingcondition of each of the plurality of collection containers. Conditionsmonitored can include parameters such as fill level of a container,obstruction in a chute, and obstruction in a connector tube. Conditionsof downstream processing may also be indicated in the collection system.For example, a downstream process can signal demand for vessels having aparticular parameter.

In some embodiments, the feed system may comprise a plurality of sensorsthat provide feedback to a central processing unit or monitoring system.In some examples, the sensors may provide feedback on the system statusto an operator or downstream process. In some embodiments, the feedingsystem may comprise sensors related to the level in the feed bin, vesselmotion on the transporter, and vessel motion on the transfer belt. Thesystem may slow or stop portions of system or may reallocate assignmentswithin the system based on the feedback received from the plurality ofsensors.

In some embodiments, the sensors may comprise a photoelectric sensor. Incertain embodiments, the sensor may comprise a through-beam sensor.Through-beam sensors monitor a system for changes in light emittance. Anobject may interrupts or reflects light, which may be detected by asensor 10 meters or more away from a monitoring point. Other sensormethods may be employed as known by those skilled in the art.

Turning to the non-limiting figures, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of amodular vessel sorting system 1000 comprising one sorting unit 100, onecollection bank 200, and one optional feeding system 300. The optionalfeed system 300 is configured to supply each vessel to the front side ofthe sorting unit 100. The collection bank 200 is positioned to the sideof the sorting unit 100, and comprises a plurality of assignedcollection containers 220 and an array of chutes 210. The sorting system1000 in FIG. 1 is configured to sort up to 4,000 vessels per hour and tosort the vessel in up to 36 sort groups.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a modular vessel sorting system 1000comprising two sorting units 100 positioned adjacent to each other, sixcollection banks 200, and two optional feeding systems 300. The optionalfeed systems 300 are each configured to supply vessels to the front sideof one of the sorting units 100. The collection point is split to thesides of the sorting units 100, with three collection banks on theA-side 201 and three banks on the B-side 202 of the system, where eachbank comprises a plurality of assigned collection containers 220. Thesorting system 1000 in FIG. 2 is configured to sort up to 8,000 vesselsper hour and to sort the vessel in up to 216 sort groups.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the system shown in FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 3, each collection bank 200 comprises a front side and a rear side, eachside comprising a plurality of assigned collection containers 220. Theoperating paths 171, 172, 173, 174 of the runners 160 (refer to FIG. 8 )are parallel to one another, with each runner 160 aligning with a stageof the nesting belts 125 of the sorting units 100. The operating pathsof the runners span each of the sorting units 1000, however, the onlythe A-side runners (using 171 and 172) can access the A-side collectionbanks 200. Likewise, only the B-side runners (using 173 and 174) canaccess the B-side collection banks 200.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a sorting system 100 according to oneembodiment. The system 1000 comprises four sorting units 100, whereineach sorting unit 100 comprises two nesting belts comprising a firstnesting belt 126 and a second nesting belt 127, wherein the firstnesting belt 126 and second nesting belt 127 are adjacent to oneanother, wherein each nesting belt comprises at least two active stages180. The assignment of a runner to an active stage of a nesting belt maybe optimized for each system. An example of the distribution of activestages to runners is indicated by the paired circles on each belt. Asshown for this embodiment, the runner on the front of the A-side of thesystem will engage vessels from two nesting belts at stage 6—the firstnesting belt 126 of the first sorting unit 100 and the first nestingbelt 126 of the third sorting unit 100—and traverse along operating path171 to the A-side collection bank 201 (partially shown in FIG. 4 ; referto FIG. 2 ) to the designated collection container 220 (refer to FIG. 2). Likewise, the runner on the rear of the B-side of the system willengage vessels from two nesting belts at stage 3—the second nesting belt127 of the second sorting unit 100 and the second nesting belt 127 ofthe fourth sorting unit 100 and traverse along operating path 174 to theB-side collection bank 202 (partially shown in FIG. 4 ; refer to FIG. 2) to the designated collection container 220 (refer to FIG. 2 ).

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B depict a sorting unit 100 according to oneembodiment of the sorting system 1000. FIGS. 5A and 6A provide a topviews and FIGS. 5B and 6B provides a perspective views. FIGS. 6A and 6Bprovide additional detail of the components shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.The sorting unit 100 comprises a first transfer belt 110 that transfersa vessel to the end component 120, which aligns the vessel for thereader 150. The rotational element 155 rotates each vessel to enable thereader 150 to read the information region of a vessel. The reader 150assigns a nesting belt 126 or 127 to each vessel according to theconfiguration of collection point and location of the designatedcollection container 220 within the collection point. The manipulator140 places the vessel on nesting belt A (first nesting belt) 126 ornesting belt B (second nesting belt) 127 at stage one 181 for transportby one of the runners 160. Each stage of the nesting belt comprises anest 145, wherein the nest comprises slots 147 to hold each vessel untilengaged by the runner. The vessels are placed on a nest 145 in anavailable slot 147 by the manipulator 140. The manipulator 140 traversesthe nesting belt using a deck track and manipulates each vessel withgrippers 143. Each nesting belt advances through finite stages three,four, five, and six (183-186), pausing at each stage to align with eachrunner 160 and provide access for the assigned runner 160 to engage thevessels on the nesting belt 126/127. Optionally, vessels not engaged bya runner 160 are transferred from the nesting belt to a recirculationchute where the vessels may be returned to an optional feed system. Insome examples, a sample may return to a feed system at stage 7 of thenesting belt.

FIG. 7 depicts the sorting unit of FIG. 5 and shows the nests 145 oneach stage of the nesting belt and the associated slots 147 within eachnest 145. In one embodiment, each nest 145 comprises 4 stages per belt.The sorting unit 100 of FIG. 7 comprises 16 available slots for eachstage. In the configuration shown, the sorting unit 100 of FIG. 7 maycarry and stage up to 96 vessels for transfer to the collection point.

FIG. 8 shows a runner 160 according to one embodiment of the sortingsystem 1000. The runner 160 is configured to traverse along an operatingpath 170 between a sorting unit 100 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and acollection point 200 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The runner 160 comprisesa gripper head 168 on the front and rear of the runner 160. Each gripperhead 168 comprises a plurality of grippers 169. In the configurationshown, each gripper head comprises 4 sets of grippers 169, where eachpair of grippers 169 are aligned in a staggered arrangement.

FIG. 9 shows one example of a collection bank 200 comprising an array ofchutes 210. Although not depicted in FIG. 9 , the operating path 170 ofa runner 160 extends the length of the bank 200 and may traverse a firstbank to transfer vessels to a second or third (or more) bank as depictedin FIG. 2 . Each chute 210 is configured to receive a vessel from eitherrunner 160 serving the bank 200 and direct the vessel to an assignedcollection container 220. Thus, the distance traveled by the runner 160when the runner 160 disengages the vessel determines which collectioncontainer 220 the vessel is placed. Each chute 210, formed by alignmentcomponents 215 and encasing panels 230, is configured to receive avessel and direct the vessel to an assigned collection container 220. Insome examples, a vessel may pass through a connector tube 244 from achute 210 to a collection container 220. Collection containers 220 maybe stacked in multiple rows in a staggered orientation on both the frontand back sides of the collection bank 200 on container shelves 241. Insome examples, the entrance to the connector tubes may be arranged in analternating arrangement associated with the exit direction of the chute210, where a chute on a first side may direct to a proximate side 255and a chute on a second side may direct to a distal side 256 of thecollection system. According to one embodiment, the system may have, forexample, two rows of collection containers 220 and each row having ninecollection containers 220, for a total of 36 collection containers 220per collection bank 200. Other configurations are possible and thesystem may have fewer than two rows or more than two rows. Each row mayinclude fewer than nine or more than nine containers. Each collectionbank may have fewer than 36 or more than 36 containers. Optionally, eachcollection container 220 may have an associated indicator light 250configured to convey information to an operator, such as the fullness ofthe container. an optional cover 252, Gullwing doors, or other types ofcover, may provide dust protection and accessibility to a source ofvessels and the chutes 210 and runners 160.

FIG. 10 depicts a row of alternating alignment components 215 andencasing panels 230 arranged to form chutes 210. An exit of the chute210 is directed to an entrance to a connector tube 244. In someexamples, the entrance to the connector tube 244 may be arranged in analternating arrangement associated with the exit direction of the chute210, where a chute 210 on a first side of an alignment component 215 maydirect to a proximate side of the collection bank 200 and a chute 210 ona second side of an alignment component 215 may direct to a distal sideof the collection bank 200. The alignment component 215 and encasingpanel 230 each may comprise a notch 229 that conforms to the edge of analignment slot. The notch 229 can aid in equidistance spacing of theplurality of alignment components 215 and plurality of encasing panels230. In some embodiments, the notch 229 can aid in alignment of thechute 210 and connector tube 244 and container 220 as only one corner ofthe alignment component 215 and encasing panel 230 may include a notch229. In other embodiments, the alignment component 215 and encasingpanel 230 may include more than one alignment component or an alternatealignment component.

FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of a collection system. FIG. 11 shows tworows of collection containers 220 on a container shelf 241 of a supportstructure 240 with a row of chutes 210 above. In some embodiments, acollection system may comprise a single row of containers or more thantwo rows of collection containers. The second handle of a collectioncontainer 220 is accessible to an operator or auxiliary system such thata collection container 220 may be removed from the collection systemwithout movement, disruption, or disturbance to adjacent collectioncontainers 220. An indicator light 250 can provide information on thestatus of the associated collection container 220.

FIG. 12 shows a front and rear perspective view of a bidirectionalalignment component 216, comprising a first side and a second sideseparated by a divider 245, and encasing panel 230 according to someembodiments of the system. The alignment component 216 comprises raisedportions that form a chute 210 when adjacent to an encasing panel 230 toreorient a vessel to a substantially vertical orientation for transportto a collection container 220. The chute 210, formed by alignmentcomponent 216 and encasing panel 230, may be configured to acceptvessels from more than one source. In some cases, a vessel may enter achute 210 at either a proximate opening or a distal opening and funnelthe vessel to a designated container 220 as assigned in the collectionbank 200. In some embodiments, the chute may be configured to accept avessel from a front or rear operating path of the runners 160 assignedto the collection bank 200 and funnel the vessel to a designatedcontainer 220. In some cases, the raised portion of the alignmentcomponent 216 may have a substantially Y-shape. In some examples, thealignment component 216 may be bidirectional and comprise a diverter 226on each side of the apparatus. In some examples, a first side of abidirectional alignment component 216 may direct vessels to a separatearea of the collection system than the second side of the bidirectionalalignment component 216. In some cases, the encasing panel 230 comprisesa notch 229 and is substantially planar to mate with a bidirectionalalignment component 216 to form a chute 210.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an exploded view of an array of compactbidirectional alignment components 216 and encasing panels 230 accordingto one embodiment described herein. In FIG. 13 , the first side of thealignment component 216 is shown with an encasing panel 230 between eachalignment component 216 and at the end of a plurality of alignmentcomponents 216. In FIG. 14 , the second side of the alignment component216 is shown with an encasing panel 230 between each alignment component216 and at the end of a plurality of alignment components 216. A chute210 is formed once the raised portion of alignment component 216 iscontacted by the adjacent encasing panel 230. In some embodiments, thisarrangement can be a space-saving design and can simplify manufacture ofcomponents for the collection system as described herein.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a perspective view of an alignment component 217according to one embodiment described herein. FIG. 15A is a front viewwhile FIG. 15B is a rear view. In some embodiments, an alignmentcomponent 217 may be unidirectional and only comprise raised componentson one side of the alignment component 217. The rear side of anunidirectional alignment component 217 may serve as an encasing paneland form a chute when a plurality of unidirectional alignment components217 are arranged adjacent to one another.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a perspective view of an alignment component 217according to one embodiment described herein. FIG. 16A is a front viewwhile FIG. 16B is a rear view. In some embodiments, an alignmentcomponent 217 may be unidirectional and only comprise raised componentson one side of the alignment component 217. One side of anunidirectional alignment component 217 may serve as an encasing paneland form a chute when a plurality of unidirectional alignment components217 are arranged adjacent to one another.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a bidirectional alignment component 216according to some embodiments of the system. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 17, the configuration of a first side of an alignment component 216 maydiffer from the configuration of a second side of an alignment component216. In some cases, the configuration of a first side of an alignmentcomponent 215 may be the same as the configuration of a second side ofan alignment component 215. In some cases, the alignment component 215may be at least partially transparent. A partially transparent alignmentcomponent 215 can permit light to travel through the plurality of chutesto aid in visual identification of system status and troubleshooting. Insome embodiments, the alignment component 216 may have a raised portion225, a diverter 226, a two-step feature 227, a vertical section 228, anda notch 229.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, and 19 show a collection container 220according to one embodiment. The container 220 has an opening 222defined by panel 238, where the opening 222 may be configured to receivevessels via a chute 210 and connector tube 244 (refer to FIG. 9 ). Insome embodiments, the opening may be configured to receive vessel frommore than one chute or more than one connector tube. For example, afirst handle 231 may be connected to the first top surface 235 and thesecond top surface 236. A second handle 232 may be connected to the rearwall 237 and the first handle 231. The front wall 233 may comprise aRFID tag 248. In the alternative, a RFID tag may be located on any otherwall or surface of the container. A lip 234 about the opening 222 may beconfigured to mate with a cap. FIG. 19 shows a photograph of thecontainer with lip 234. FIG. 20 shows a RFID tag 248 on the collectioncontainer 220. The RFID label may enable the container to be scanned andtracked throughout a system.

FIG. 21 shows feedback sensors on the collection bank in someembodiments. Chute sensors 282 can identify an obstruction or error inthe chute. The chute sensor 282 may monitor the front and rear chute. Insome cases, the sensor may be an optical sensor that monitors chuteconditions via a through beam design. Connector tube sensors 285 canidentify an obstruction or error in the connector tube. The connectortube sensor 285 may monitor the front and rear tube and the top andbottom of the tube. In some cases, the sensor may be an optical sensorthat monitors connector tube conditions via a through beam design.Container sensors 284 can identify presence of a container in the systemand proper placement of the container. The container sensor 284 maymonitor the front, rear, top, and bottom of the container. In somecases, the sensor may be an optical sensor that monitors containerconditions via a through beam design. The container RFID sensor 286 canpermit the system to track the container identity, location, sortingparameter, sample indicia, or other variable. The indicator light 250can provide system conditions or instructions to an operator ormonitoring system.

FIG. 22 shows the optional feeding system 300. In some embodiments, afeeding system 300 comprises a feed bin 310, a transporter 320, andtransfer belt 325. A plurality of unsorted, unoriented vessels may beloaded into feed bin 310. Individual vessels may be transported from thefeed bin 310 to a downstream process by the transporter 320. In someembodiments, individual vessels may be transported from the feed bin 310to the second transfer belt 325 by the transporter 320. The transferbelt 325 may transfer each vessel to a downstream unit 100. Alsodepicted in FIG. 22 , the feeding system 300 may optionally be coveredby cover panel 322.

FIG. 23 shows a top view of optional feeding system 300. The feed bin310 may include a wedge 350 to direct a plurality of vessels toward theat least one transporter 320. The angled corner element 380 directsvessels toward the base of the at least one transporter 320 and preventvessels from accumulating in the corner of the feed bin 310. Thetransfer belt 325 is at the top edge of the feed bin and receivesvessels from the transporter 320 and transfer the vessel to a downstreamunit. The feeding system 300 may optionally be covered by cover panel322. The cover panel 322 may comprise more than one hinged door toaccess areas of the feeding system 300.

FIG. 24 depicts one embodiment of the feed system described herein. Asshown in FIG. 24 , the feed bin 310 contains a plurality of vesselsarranged in random orientations. The staircase transporter 355 picks upthe vessels and transfer the vessels from step to step of thetransporter 355 using risers 357 and ledge 356 to transport the alignedvessels to the top of the feeding system 300 where the vesselstransition to the transfer belt 325. The vessels are oriented in alinear arrangement along the steps of the transporter; that orientationis maintained on the transfer belt 325. Also shown is wedge 350 thatshunts the vessels placed in the bin in random orientations towards thetransporter 320, or in embodiments with two transporters, shuntsapproximately half of the vessels towards the A-side and approximatelyhalf towards the B-side. Each ledge 356 may have a wavy surface 359 thatorients each vessel into a horizontal orientation of the vessel'slongitudinal axis as the vessel is transported from towards the transferbelt 325. Angled corner element 380 directs vessels that tumble from thetransporter 320 back to the bottom of the feed bin 310 and preventsaccumulation in the corners of the feed bin 310.

FIG. 25 depicts one embodiment of a modular supplying system 2000comprising one feeding system 300. The feeding system 300 is configuredto supply each vessel to the front side of a downstream unit 100. Thesupply system in FIG. 25 is configured to sort up to 4,000 vessels perhour.

FIG. 26 depicts one embodiment of a modular supplying system 2000comprising two feeding systems 300. The feeding systems 300 areconfigured to supply vessels to the front side of the downstream units100. The modular supplying system 2000 in FIG. 26 is configured to sortup to 8,000 vessels per hour.

FIG. 27 shows feedback sensors on the feed bin 310 according to someembodiments. Feed level sensors 376 and 377 monitor the level of vesselsin the feed bin 310 to identify low level or empty status of the feedbin 310 to an operator or monitoring system. Sensor 373 may monitor forjammed or error with the transfer belt. Sensor 374 may monitor motion ofthe transfer belt to ensure the transfer belt is engaged and running.Sensor 375 may monitor the transfer of each of the vessels from the feedsystem to a downstream process.

In some embodiments, two runners serve each bank and thus, each vesselmay be directed to the next available runner in order to increasethroughput of the system. In some embodiments, the system has athroughput of more than 8,000 vessels per hour. In other embodiments,the system has a throughput of more than 1,000, more than 2,000, morethan 3,000, more than 4,000, more than 5,000, more than 8,000, more than10,000, more than 16,000, more than 20,000, or more than 30,000 vesselsper hour. In some embodiments, the system has a throughput of 1,000 to30,000 vessels per hour, 2,000 to 16,000 vessels per hour, or 3,000 to8,000 vessels per hour.

In some embodiments, the system may have a footprint of less than 43feet by 9 feet. In some embodiments, the collection point has afootprint of less than 18 feet by 4 feet. In some embodiments, thesorting unit has a footprint of less than 4 feet by 9 feet. In someembodiments, the system can be operated in a space measuring no morethan 51 feet by 21 feet.

Methods of Sorting, Receiving and Feeding a Plurality of Vessels

Also described herein are methods for sorting a plurality of vessels. Insome embodiments, a method for sorting a plurality of vessels comprises:providing a plurality of vessels, transferring the plurality of vesselsto a sorting unit, reading the identification region of the vessel,determining a sorting group for the vessel, and transferring the vesselto a designated collection container. In some embodiments, each vesselmay be configured to hold a sample. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of vessels may comprise an identification region for providinginformation related to a sorting group of the sample. In certainembodiments, the sorting unit may be configured to: sort a plurality ofvessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample andcomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted. In someembodiments, the sorting unit may comprise: (i) a first transfer beltconfigured to individually transport each of the plurality of vesselsfrom an entry position to a second position within the sorting unit;(ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the second position andconfigured to read the identification region on each of the plurality of(iii) an end component that receives the vessel from the first transferbelt and positions the vessel at the second position for reading by thescanning unit; (iv) at least one nesting belt configured to positioneach of the plurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designatedcollection point; and (v) a manipulator configured to physicallymanipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and individuallytransfer individual vessels from the end component to the at least onenesting belt vessels. In some embodiments, the scanning unit maycomprise a reader that reads the identification region and stores theinformation related to each of the vessels as the vessel is sorted bythe system. In some embodiments, the method comprises further comprisesstoring the information related to the at least one vessel. In certainembodiments, the position of the vessel on the nesting belt may bestored by the system. In some embodiments, the method may furthercomprise transferring each of the plurality of vessels to at least onerunner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit. In someembodiments, the runner may be configured to physically manipulate eachof the plurality of scanned vessels and transfer each of the vesselsfrom the at least one nesting belt to a designated collection point. Insome embodiments, the collection container may be determined by thesorting group information of the vessel.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise rotating each ofthe plurality of vessels about the longitudinal axis of the vessel andpositioning the identification region to be scanned by the reader. Insome embodiments, the method may further comprise assigning the sortinggroup to each of the plurality of vessels based on the bar codeinformation of each vessel. In some embodiments, the method may furthercomprise manipulating each of the plurality of vessels on the nest by apair of grippers of a runner. In some embodiments, the method mayfurther comprise relaying the sorting group and the position of each ofthe vessels on the nesting belt to the at least one runner. In someembodiments, the method may further comprise traversing to thedesignated collection point and disengaging each of the vessel at thecollection point for the sorting group of the vessel. In someembodiments, the method may further comprise feeding a plurality ofvessels to the sorting unit.

Also disclosed are methods of using the collection system whereinvessels delivered to an entry point of a collection system are dispersedinto collection containers (e.g., bins) as disclosed herein. In someexamples, a method of using a system for receiving a plurality ofvessels may comprise comprising delivering a plurality of vessels to anentry point of the system and dispersing the plurality of vessels into aplurality of collection containers. The system may comprise (i) aplurality of alignment components, where each of the plurality ofalignment components may be configured to individually direct each ofthe plurality of vessels from an entry position to a collection pointwithin the collection system; (ii) a plurality of encasing panelsadjacent to each of the plurality of alignment components, wherein eachof the plurality of encasing panels may be configured to enclose each ofthe plurality of alignment components; (iii) a plurality of collectioncontainers comprising an opening, wherein each of the plurality ofcontainers may be configured to receive and hold each of the pluralityof vessels at a particular collection point; and (iv) a supportstructure configured to house each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents, encasing panels, and collection containers, wherein eachvessel may be configured to hold a sample.

Also described herein are methods for supplying a plurality of vessels.In some embodiments, a method for supplying a plurality of vessels maycomprise providing a plurality of vessels, transferring the plurality ofvessels to a feeding unit, and transferring the vessels via the at leastone transfer belt to a downstream process or unit. In some embodiments,the feeding unit may be configured to supply a plurality of vessels toat least one exit position. In some embodiments, each of the pluralityof vessels may be configured to hold a sample. In some embodiments, thefeeding unit comprises: (i) a feed bin comprising a bottom surface, asubstantially open top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side, andconfigured to feed each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition at the top of the feed bin to at least one edge position of thebottom surface wherein the feed; (ii) at least one transporterpositioned on at least one of the A-side or the B-side of the feed binand configured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the atleast one edge position and transport each of the vessels to the atleast one transfer point; and (iii) at least one transfer beltpositioned at the exit of the at least one transporter and at or nearthe top of the bin, and configured to receive each of the plurality ofvessels from at least one transfer point and individually transferindividual vessels from the at least one transfer point to a bin exitposition within the system. In some examples, the feed bin may besubstantially trapezoidal in shape.

Program Component

In some embodiments, a computer program product for sorting a pluralityof vessels may comprise a processing device and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to theprocessing device. In certain embodiments, the processing device may beconfigured to perform operations comprising: (a) providing a pluralityof vessels; (b) transferring the plurality of vessels to a sorting unit;(c) reading the identification region of the vessel; (d) determining asorting group for the vessel; (e) storing the information related to theat least one vessel; (f) transferring each of the plurality of vesselsto at least one runner positioned at an exit position of the sortingunit; and (g) transferring the vessel via the at least one runner to adesignated collection container. In some embodiments, each vessel may beconfigured to hold sample, wherein each of the plurality of vesselscomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group of the sample. In some embodiments, the sorting unitconfigured to: sort a plurality of vessels, wherein each vessel isconfigured to hold a sample and comprises an identification region forproviding information related to a sorting group into which the sampleis to be sorted. In certain embodiments, the sorting unit may comprise:(i) a first transfer belt configured to individually transport each ofthe plurality of vessels from an entry position to a second positionwithin the sorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to thesecond position and configured to read the identification region on eachof the plurality of vessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises areader that reads the identification region and stores the informationrelated to each of the vessels as the vessel is sorted by the system;(iii) an end component that receives the vessel from the first transferbelt and positions the vessel at the second position for reading by thescanning unit; (iv) at least one nesting belt configured to positioneach of the plurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designatedcollection point; and (v) a manipulator configured to physicallymanipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels and individuallytransfer individual vessels from the end component to the at least onenesting belt, wherein the position of the vessel on the nesting belt isstored by the system. In some embodiments, the runner may be configuredto physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels andtransfer each of the vessels from the at least one nesting belt to adesignated collection point. In some embodiments, the collectioncontainer is determined by the sorting group information of the vessel.

In some embodiments, a sorting group determination module represents aprogram component that analyzes data from the reader to determine asorting group to assign to each vessel. The sorting group determinationmodule may comprise code that selects one or more sorting groups tooutput using one or more algorithms or lookup tables. In someembodiments, the sorting group determination module comprises one ormore algorithms or lookup tables that include data corresponding tovarious sorting groups and usable by the processor to determine asorting group. Particularly, in some embodiments, the sorting groupdetermination module may determine a sorting group based at least inpart on bar code information. For example, the processor may receive barcode information from the reader and determine a nesting belt assignment(e.g., 126 or 127 in FIG. 7 ) for the scanned vessel, determine a runnerto engage with the vessel, and assign a designated collection containerfor the runner to disengage with the vessel. The sorting groupdetermination module may determine a sorting group based at least inpart on the availability of a collection container for a particularsorting group. For instance, the sorting group determination module cancause the processor to access a lookup table that includes datacorresponding to one or more sorting groups associated with variouscollection containers for the sorting group and select a sorting groupthat corresponds to an available collection container and assign arunner and nesting belt location accordingly.

Having described several aspects of this invention, it should beappreciated that various alterations, modifications and improvementswill occur to those of skill in the art. Such alterations, modificationsand improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and areintended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, thedescription and drawings herein are intended to be illustrative, notlimiting. The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposeof description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Illustrative Embodiments of Suitable Systems and Methods

As used below, any reference to methods, products, or systems isunderstood as a reference to each of those methods, products, or systemsdisjunctively (e.g., “Illustrative embodiment 1-4 is understood asillustrative embodiment 1, 2, 3, or 4.”).

Illustrative embodiment 1 is a system for sorting a plurality of vesselscomprises: four sorting units, each configured to sort a plurality ofvessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample andcomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, wherein theidentification region comprises a bar code that represents analphanumeric string comprising information relating to a specific sampleanalysis or sample sort group, and wherein each sorting unit comprises:(i) two first transfer belts, each first transfer belt configured toindividually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) two scanningunits, each scanning unit positioned adjacent to the second position andconfigured to read the identification region on each of the plurality ofvessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises a reader that reads theidentification region and stores the information related to each of thevessels as the vessel is sorted by the system; (iii) two rotationalelements, each element configured to rotate each of the plurality ofvessels about the longitudinal axis of the vessel to position theidentification region so that it can be scanned by the reader; (iv) twoend components, each component configured to receive each of theplurality of vessels from the first transfer belt and positions thevessel at the second position for reading by the scanning unit; (v) twonesting belts comprising a first nesting belt and a second nesting belt,each nesting belt configured to position each of the plurality ofscanned vessels for transport to a designated collection point, whereinthe first and second nesting belts are adjacent to one another and eachnesting belt is configured to advance independently of the other nestingbelts, wherein each nesting belt comprises at least two active stagesand each stage comprises a nest having two or more slots, wherein thenesting belts of the four sorting units are configured to operateindependently from one another and the stages of the nesting belts arealigned; (vi) two manipulators, each manipulator configured tophysically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels andindividually transfer individual vessels from the end component to thefirst and second nesting belts, wherein the position of the vessel onthe nesting belt is stored by the system; and four runners, each runnerpositioned at an exit position of the sorting unit, wherein each runneris configured to physically manipulate and transfer each of theplurality of scanned vessels from a single active stage from at leastone of the nesting belts to a designated collection point, wherein thedesignated active stage of the nesting belts is configured to align withan operating path of the associated runner such that the operating pathof the associated runner is substantially perpendicular to thedesignated active stage and wherein each of the nesting belts isconfigured to advance at timed intervals that provide for the associatedrunner to remove each of the plurality of positioned vessels from theslots of the nest prior to advancement of the nesting belt to the nextstage position, wherein the system is configured to relay the sort groupfor each of the plurality of vessels and the position of each of theplurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners, the runnersare configured to transport each of the plurality of vessels from theslots on the nests to collection containers, each container having anassigned sorting group, and the runners are configured to disengage witheach of the plurality of vessels when the runner is aligned with theassigned collection container as determined by the sorting groupinformation of each of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 2 is a system for sorting a plurality ofvessels, comprising: a sorting unit configured to sort a plurality ofvessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample andcomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein thesorting unit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured toindividually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanningunit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to readthe identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, whereinthe scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identificationregion and stores the information related to each of the vessels as thevessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives thevessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at thesecond position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least onenesting belt configured to position each of the plurality of scannedvessels for transport to a designated collection point; and (v) amanipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality ofscanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from theend component to the at least one nesting belt, wherein the position ofthe vessel on the nesting belt is stored by the system; and at least onerunner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit and configuredto physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels andtransfer each of the vessels from the at least one nesting belt to adesignated collection point.

Illustrative embodiment 3 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels is abiological sample tube that is cylindrical in shape and comprises a cap.

Illustrative embodiment 4 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the identification region comprises abar code that represents an alphanumeric string.

Illustrative embodiment 5 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the bar code comprises informationrelating to a specific sample analysis or sample sort group.

Illustrative embodiment 6 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels has aleading end and a trailing end, wherein the leading end contacts the endcomponent, aligns with the end component, and maintains said alignmentwhen transferred to the at least one nesting belt.

Illustrative embodiment 7 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels rangesfrom about 75 mm to about 125 mm in length and about 8 to about 16 mm indiameter.

Illustrative embodiment 8 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the scanning unit further comprises arotational element configured to rotate each of the plurality of vesselsabout the longitudinal axis of the vessel to position the identificationregion so that it can be scanned by the reader.

Illustrative embodiment 9 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the sorting unit assigns the sortinggroup to each of the plurality of vessels based on the bar codeinformation for each vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 10 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the sorting group for each of thevessels and the position of each of the vessels on the nesting belt arerelayed to the at least one runner.

Illustrative embodiment 11 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one nesting belt advancesin timed intervals.

Illustrative embodiment 12 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one nesting belt comprisesa plurality of stages, wherein each stage comprises a nest having atleast one slot configured to accommodate a single vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 13 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one slot is configured tohold the single vessel such that the longitudinal axis of the vessel issubstantially horizontal and aligned with the operating direction of thenesting belt.

Illustrative embodiment 14 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein collection point comprises a collectionbank configured to hold the collection containers.

Illustrative embodiment 15 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein at least one stage of the nesting beltis configured to align with an operating path of the at least one runnerand wherein the timed intervals of the nesting belt advancement allowthe runner to remove each of the plurality of vessels from the slotprior to advancement of the nesting belt to the next advancementinterval or stage.

Illustrative embodiment 16 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the operating path of the at least onerunner is substantially perpendicular to a direction of advancement ofthe nesting belt.

Illustrative embodiment 17 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the direction of advancement of thenesting belt is approximately 180 degrees from a direction of the firsttransfer belt.

Illustrative embodiment 18 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one runner comprises aplurality of grippers such that each of the plurality of vessels on thenest is individually manipulated by a pair of grippers.

Illustrative embodiment 19 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one runner furthercomprises two gripper heads, wherein the plurality of grippers arearranged within each of the gripper heads.

Illustrative embodiment 20 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the plurality of grippers operateindependently to allow for the at least one runner to individuallyengage each of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 21 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the operating path of the at least onerunner traverses to the designated collection point for the sortinggroup of the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 22 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising a plurality of designatedcollection points, wherein each collection point comprises a collectioncontainer, and wherein a sorting group is assigned to one or morecollection containers.

Illustrative embodiment 23 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the runner transports each of theplurality of vessels from the slot on the nest to the assignedcollection container and disengages with the vessel when the runner isaligned with the assigned collection container as determined by thesorting group information of the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 24 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, comprising: two nesting belts comprising afirst nesting belt and a second nesting belt, wherein the first andsecond nesting belts are positioned adjacent to one another and eachnesting belt is configured to advance independently of the other nestingbelt, wherein each nesting belt comprises at least two active stages andeach stage comprises a nest having two or more slots, each slotconfigured to accommodate a single vessel; two runners comprising afirst runner and a second runner, wherein the first runner is configuredto physically manipulate each of the plurality of scanned vessels andtransfer each of the plurality of vessels from a first active stage, thesecond runner is configured to physically manipulate each of theplurality of the scanned vessels and transfer each of the plurality ofvessels from a second active stage, wherein the first active stage ofthe nesting belts is configured to align with an operating path of thefirst runner such that the operating path of the first runner issubstantially perpendicular to the first active stage and the secondactive stage of the nesting belt is configured to align with anoperating path of the second runner such that the such that theoperating path of the second runner is substantially perpendicular tothe second active stage and wherein each of the nesting belts isconfigured to advance at timed intervals that provide for the runner toremove each of the plurality of positioned vessels from the slots of thenest prior to advancement of the nesting belt to the next stageposition, wherein the system is configured to relay the sort group foreach of the plurality of vessels and the position of each of theplurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners, the runnersare configured to transport each of the plurality of vessels from theslots on the nests to collection containers, each container having anassigned sorting group, and the runners are configured to disengage witheach of the plurality of vessels when the runner is aligned with theassigned collection container as determined by the sorting groupinformation of each of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 25 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system comprises two sorting units,wherein the sorting units are adjacent to one another such that thestages of the nesting belts are aligned.

Illustrative embodiment 26 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system comprises: four sortingunits, wherein each sorting unit comprises two nesting belts comprisinga first nesting belt and a second nesting belt, wherein the first andsecond nesting belts are adjacent to one another and each nesting beltis configured to advance independently of the other nesting belts,wherein each nesting belt comprises at least two active stages and eachstage comprises a nest having two or more slots, wherein the nestingbelts of the four sorting units are configured to operate independentlyfrom one another and the stages of the nesting belts are aligned; fourrunners, wherein each runner is configured to physically manipulate andtransfers vessels from a single active stage, wherein the designatedactive stage of the nesting belts is configured to align with anoperating path of the associated runner such that the operating path ofthe associated runner is substantially perpendicular to the designatedactive stage and wherein each of the nesting belts is configured toadvance at timed intervals that provide for the associated runner toremove each of the plurality of positioned vessels from the slots of thenest prior to advancement of the nesting belt to the next stageposition, wherein the system is configured to relay the sort group foreach of the plurality of vessels and the position of each of theplurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners, the runnersare configured to transport each of the plurality of vessels from theslots on the nests to collection containers, each container having anassigned sorting group, and the runners are configured to disengage witheach of the plurality of vessels when the runner is aligned with theassigned collection container as determined by the sorting groupinformation of each of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 27 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the nesting belts of the sorting unitsare parallel and adjacent to one another.

Illustrative embodiment 28 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each runner is associated with a singleactive stage for two of the sorting units.

Illustrative embodiment 29 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising an A-side and a B-side,wherein the A-side and the B-side are positioned 180 degrees from oneanother to either side of the nesting belt or belts, wherein thecollection containers are divided such that approximately one half ofthe containers are located on the A-side and one half on the B-side ofthe system.

Illustrative embodiment 30 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the first nesting belt is associatedwith the A-side and a second nesting belt is associated with the B-side.

Illustrative embodiment 31 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the manipulators are configured toselect the first or second nesting belt for placement of each of theplurality of vessels according to the sorting group identified by thereader and the location of the collection container for the sortinggroup of each of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 32 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein two of the runners are configured totransport to the A-side of the system and two of the runners transportto the B-side of the system.

Illustrative embodiment 33 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the sort groups are distributed to theA-side and B-side to balance the demand of the runners.

Illustrative embodiment 34 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the collection containers aredistributed according to sample group frequency to minimize theoperating path of the runners.

Illustrative embodiment 35 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each runner is configured to manipulateand transfers each of the plurality of vessels from each of the sortingunits.

Illustrative embodiment 36 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the operating path of the runners areparallel to one another.

Illustrative embodiment 37 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is configured to sort up to8000 vessels per hour.

Illustrative embodiment 38 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is configured to sort theplurality of vessels into up to 216 sort groups.

Illustrative embodiment 39 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system comprises 1, 2, or 4 sortingunits.

Illustrative embodiment 40 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising a shield configured to coverthe system.

Illustrative embodiment 41 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the shield is substantiallytransparent.

Illustrative embodiment 42 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is modular.

Illustrative embodiment 43 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising at least one feeding systemconfigured to supply a plurality of vessels to the entry position of theat least one sorting unit, wherein the feeding system comprises a feedbin, at least one transporter, and a second transfer belt.

Illustrative embodiment 44 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one transporter isconfigured to transfer each of the plurality of vessels from the feedbin to the second transfer belt.

Illustrative embodiment 45 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the speed of the first transfer belt isgreater than speed of the second transfer belt.

Illustrative embodiment 46 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein a timing gap between the speed of thefirst and second transfer belts is substantially the same as the timefor reading the identification region of the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 47 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the second transfer belt is configuredto seek a condition state of the first transfer belt to determine anoperating state of the second transfer belt.

Illustrative embodiment 48 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the first transfer belt and secondtransfer belt each comprise a rubberized material.

Illustrative embodiment 49 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the rubberized material of the secondtransfer belt comprises a plurality of raised elements configured toassist in the transfer of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 50 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is configured to returnvessels that are not engaged by a runner to the feeding bin.

Illustrative embodiment 51 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the returned vessels include vesselshaving no active collection point.

Illustrative embodiment 52 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the returned vessels include vesselshaving no identified sort group.

Illustrative embodiment 53 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin comprises a cover panelconfigured to provide access to the feeder bin.

Illustrative embodiment 54 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feeding system further comprises aninspection table adjacent to the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 55 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the designated collection point furthercomprises a plurality of chutes, wherein each chute is paired with acollection container.

Illustrative embodiment 56 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is configured to permit eachof the plurality of sorted vessels to travel through one of the chutesto the assigned collection container upon being disengaged from therunner.

Illustrative embodiment 57 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute is configured to reorient thevessel from a substantially horizontal position to a substantiallyvertical position.

Illustrative embodiment 58 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute is configured to beaccessible to two runners.

Illustrative embodiment 59 is a method for sorting a plurality ofvessels, comprising: providing a plurality of vessels, each vesselconfigured to hold sample, wherein each of the plurality of vesselscomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group of the sample; transferring the plurality of vessels toa sorting unit, the sorting unit configured to: sort a plurality ofvessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample andcomprises an identification region for providing information related toa sorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein thesorting unit comprises: (i) a first transfer belt configured toindividually transport each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition to a second position within the sorting unit; (ii) a scanningunit positioned adjacent to the second position and configured to readthe identification region on each of the plurality of vessels, whereinthe scanning unit comprises a reader that reads the identificationregion and stores the information related to each of the vessels as thevessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an end component that receives thevessel from the first transfer belt and positions the vessel at thesecond position for reading by the scanning unit; (iv) at least onenesting belt configured to position each of the plurality of scannedvessels for transport to a designated collection point; and (v) amanipulator configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality ofscanned vessels and individually transfer individual vessels from theend component to the at least one nesting belt, wherein the position ofthe vessel on the nesting belt is stored by the system; reading theidentification region of the vessel; determining a sorting group for thevessel; storing the information related to the at least one vessel;transferring each of the plurality of vessels to at least one runnerpositioned at an exit position of the sorting unit, wherein the runneris configured to physically manipulate each of the plurality of scannedvessels and transfer each of the vessels from the at least one nestingbelt to a designated collection point; and transferring the vessel viathe at least one runner to a designated collection container, whereinthe collection container is determined by the sorting group informationof the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 60 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising rotating each of theplurality of vessels about the longitudinal axis of the vessel andpositioning the identification region to be scanned by the reader.

Illustrative embodiment 61 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising assigning the sorting groupto each of the plurality of vessels based on the bar code information ofeach vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 63 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising manipulating each of theplurality of vessels on the nest by a pair of grippers of a runner.

Illustrative embodiment 64 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising relaying the sorting groupand the position of each of the vessels on the nesting belt to the atleast one runner.

Illustrative embodiment 65 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising traversing to the designatedcollection point and disengaging each of the vessel at the collectionpoint for the sorting group of the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 66 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising feeding a plurality ofvessels to the sorting unit.

Illustrative embodiment 67 is a computer program product comprising: aprocessing device; and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the processing device, wherein the processingdevice is configured to perform operations comprising: providing aplurality of vessels, each vessel configured to hold sample, whereineach of the plurality of vessels comprises an identification region forproviding information related to a sorting group of the sample;transferring the plurality of vessels to a sorting unit, the sortingunit configured to: sort a plurality of vessels, wherein each vessel isconfigured to hold a sample and comprises an identification region forproviding information related to a sorting group into which the sampleis to be sorted, and wherein the sorting unit comprises: (i) a firsttransfer belt configured to individually transport each of the pluralityof vessels from an entry position to a second position within thesorting unit; (ii) a scanning unit positioned adjacent to the secondposition and configured to read the identification region on each of theplurality of vessels, wherein the scanning unit comprises a reader thatreads the identification region and stores the information related toeach of the vessels as the vessel is sorted by the system; (iii) an endcomponent that receives the vessel from the first transfer belt andpositions the vessel at the second position for reading by the scanningunit; (iv) at least one nesting belt configured to position each of theplurality of scanned vessels for transport to a designated collectionpoint; and (v) a manipulator configured to physically manipulate each ofthe plurality of scanned vessels and individually transfer individualvessels from the end component to the at least one nesting belt, whereinthe position of the vessel on the nesting belt is stored by the system;and reading the identification region of the vessel; determining asorting group for the vessel; storing the information related to the atleast one vessel; transferring each of the plurality of vessels to atleast one runner positioned at an exit position of the sorting unit,wherein the runner is configured to physically manipulate each of theplurality of scanned vessels and transfer each of the vessels from theat least one nesting belt to a designated collection point; andtransferring the vessel via the at least one runner to a designatedcollection container, wherein the collection container is determined bythe sorting group information of the vessel.

Illustrative embodiment 68 is a system for receiving a plurality ofvessels, comprising: a collection bank configured to receive a pluralityof vessels, wherein each vessel is configured to hold a sample andwherein the collection bank comprises: (i) a plurality of alignmentcomponents, wherein each of the plurality of alignment components isconfigured to individually direct each of the plurality of vessels froman entry position to a collection point within the collection bank; (ii)a plurality of encasing panels adjacent to each of the plurality ofalignment components, wherein each of the plurality of encasing panelsis configured to enclose each of the plurality of alignment components;(iii) a plurality of collection containers comprising an opening,wherein each of the plurality of containers is configured to receive andhold at least some of the plurality of vessels at a particularcollection point; and (iv) a support structure configured to house eachof the plurality of alignment components, encasing panels, andcollection containers.

Illustrative embodiment 69 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels is abiological sample tube that is cylindrical in shape and comprises a cap.

Illustrative embodiment 70 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels rangesin size from 75 mm to about 125 mm in length and about 8 to about 16 mmin diameter.

Illustrative embodiment 71 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents is configured to reorient each of the plurality of vesselsfrom a substantially horizontal position to a substantially verticalposition.

Illustrative embodiment 72 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the plurality of alignment componentsand encasing panels are configured in a row and positioned in a verticalorientation with an encasing panel separating each of the plurality ofalignment components in the row and an encasing panel at each end of therow.

Illustrative embodiment 73 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the support structure comprises atleast one container shelf configured to hold the plurality of collectioncontainers.

Illustrative embodiment 74 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the shelf comprises a series of slotsconfigured to align with the opening of each of the plurality ofcollection containers when the containers are placed in the system.

Illustrative embodiment 75 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system comprises an upper containershelf and a lower container shelf.

Illustrative embodiment 76 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the slots of the upper and lowercontainer shelf are offset such that the upper slots are approximatelyone half a container width offset from the lower slots.

Illustrative embodiment 77 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising at least one positioning barconfigured to align each of the plurality of alignment components in thesupport structure.

Illustrative embodiment 78 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system comprises a set up upperpositioning bars and a set of lower positioning bars.

Illustrative embodiment 79 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising a connector tube, whereinthe connector tube is configured to protrude from the slots in thecontainer shelf and connect the opening of each of the plurality ofcollection containers to a designated chute.

Illustrative embodiment 80 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the plurality of alignment componentsand encasing panels are configured to align in a row on the supportstructure such that a pair of alignment components and encasing panelsproduce a confined space configured to funnel each of the plurality ofvessels from the top of each of the plurality of alignment components tothe bottom of each of the plurality of alignment components, wherein atop inlet of the confined space is wider than a bottom outlet, whereinthe bottom outlet is approximately the same size as the opening of oneof the collection containers and a connector tube, wherein the supportstructure comprises a top and a bottom container shelf, wherein eachshelf comprises a series of slots configured to align with the openingof each of the plurality of collection containers, wherein the slots ofthe upper and lower container shelf are offset such that the upper slotsare approximately one half a container width offset from the lowerslots, wherein each of the plurality of alignment components has a firstside and a second side, and wherein the first side of each of theplurality of alignment components and encasing panels funnel each of theplurality of vessels to a designated collection container staged on thefront side of the system and the second side of each of the plurality ofalignment components and encasing panels funnel each of the plurality ofvessels to designated collection container staged on the rear side ofthe system, wherein the connector tube is configured to protrude fromthe slots in each container shelf and connect the opening of each of theplurality of collection containers to the confined space of each pair ofthe plurality of alignment components and encasing panels.

Illustrative embodiment 81 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of collectioncontainers comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

Illustrative embodiment 82 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the RFID tag is configured to receivelocation and vessel information when each of the plurality of containersis loaded in the support structure.

Illustrative embodiment 83 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the support structure comprises anindicator light for each of the plurality of collection containers,wherein in the light is configured to provide feedback on an operatingcondition of each of the plurality of collection containers.

Illustrative embodiment 84 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of collectioncontainers is configured to be associated with a chute formed by one ofthe plurality of encasing panels and one of the plurality of alignmentcomponents, wherein the association is based on a sorting parameter ofeach of the plurality of vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 85 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the collection bank further comprises acover configured to provide access to each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents and each of the plurality of collection containers.

Illustrative embodiment 86 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the cover comprises a gull wing door.

Illustrative embodiment 87 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system is modular.

Illustrative embodiment 88 is a method of using a system for receiving aplurality of vessels, comprising: delivering a plurality of vessels toan entry point of the system; and dispersing the plurality of vesselsinto a plurality of collection containers in a collection bank, whereinthe system comprises: (i) a plurality of alignment components, whereineach of the plurality of alignment components is configured toindividually direct each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition to a collection point within the collection bank; (ii) aplurality of encasing panels adjacent to each of the plurality ofalignment components, wherein each of the plurality of encasing panelsis configured to enclose each of the plurality of alignment components;(iii) a plurality of collection containers comprising an opening,wherein each of the plurality of containers is configured to receive andhold at least some of the plurality of vessels at a particularcollection point; and (iv) a support structure configured to house eachof the plurality of alignment components, encasing panels, andcollection containers, wherein each vessel is configured to hold asample.

Illustrative embodiment 89 is a system for guiding a plurality ofvessels, comprising a plurality of alignment components and encasingpanels configured in a row, wherein the alignment components areencasing panels are positioned in a vertical orientation with anencasing panel separating each of the plurality of alignment componentsin the row and an encasing panel at each end of the row.

Illustrative embodiment 90 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of encasingpanels and alignment components are configured to contact each other toform a chute and reorient a vessel from a substantially horizontalorientation to a substantially vertical orientation.

Illustrative embodiment 91 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents comprises a first side and a second side.

Illustrative embodiment 92 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the first side and the second side ofeach of the plurality of alignment components each comprise a raisedportion, wherein the raised portion is configured to form a chute andprovide a contact surface to reorient and funnel each of the pluralityof vessels within the chute.

Illustrative embodiment 93 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute ranges from 1 to 10 cm indepth.

Illustrative embodiment 94 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein an inlet of the chute is wider than anoutlet of the chute.

Illustrative embodiment 95 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the width of the inlet of the chuteapproximates the length of a vessel being delivered by the chute and thewidth of the outlet approximates the width of the vessel beingdelivered.

Illustrative embodiment 96 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each chute is configured to direct eachof the plurality of vessels from a plurality of entry points to a singlecollection point.

Illustrative embodiment 97 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute further comprises a diverterconfigured to direct each of the plurality of vessels to a front or rearsection of each alignment component.

Illustrative embodiment 98 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute on the first side of thealignment component is configured to direct each of the plurality ofvessels to the front section of the alignment component.

Illustrative embodiment 99 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute further comprises a two-stepfeature at the rear side to further direct and reorient each of theplurality of vessels entering the chute from a rear entry point.

Illustrative embodiment 100 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute further comprises asubstantially vertical section and the diverter is angled away from thetwo-step feature.

Illustrative embodiment 101 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the chute on the second side of thealignment component is configured to direct each of the plurality ofvessels to the rear section of the alignment component.

Illustrative embodiment 102 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein a diverter on the second side of thealignment component is substantially diamond-shaped.

Illustrative embodiment 103 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of alignmentcomponents further comprises a notch at the bottom of the front edgeconfigured to align the plurality of alignment components within thesystem.

Illustrative embodiment 104 is an apparatus for guiding an article,comprising: a raised portion in a substantially Y-shape and a first sideand a second side, wherein the raised portion provides a contact surfacefor the article and configured to direct an article from a top of theapparatus to an outlet at the bottom of the apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 105 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the raised portion rangesfrom 5 to about 40 cm in depth.

Illustrative embodiment 106 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein a distance between theraised portion at the top of the apparatus is larger than as distancebetween the raised portion at the bottom of the apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 107 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the distance between theraised portions at the inlet approximates the length of a vessel beingdelivered by the chute and the distance between the raised portions atthe outlet approximates the length of a vessel being delivered by thechute.

Illustrative embodiment 108 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, further comprising a diverterconfigured to direct the article to a front or rear section of eachapparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 109 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the first side is configuredto direct the article to the front section of the apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 110 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, further comprising a two-stepfeature at the rear side to further direct and reorient each articleentering the apparatus from a rear entry point.

Illustrative embodiment 111 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, further comprising a substantiallyvertical section, wherein the diverter is angled away from the two-stepfeature.

Illustrative embodiment 112 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the second side isconfigured to direct each article to the rear section of the apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 113 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein a diverter on the secondside is substantially diamond-shaped.

Illustrative embodiment 114 is the apparatus of any preceding orsubsequent illustrative embodiment, further comprising a notch at thebottom of the front edge.

Illustrative embodiment 115 is a collection apparatus comprising asubstantially rectangular base and walls connected to the base, whereinthe base and walls define an interior volume of the apparatus and thewalls comprise a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and asecond side wall; a top connected to the first side wall and second sidewall, wherein the top comprises a first top surface and a second topsurface that are substantially perpendicular to the first side wall andsecond side wall; a first handle connected to the first top surface andsecond top surface; and a second handle connected to the rear wall ofthe apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 116 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the first handle issubstantially coplanar with the first top surface of the apparatus.

Illustrative embodiment 117 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the second handle issubstantially perpendicular to the first handle.

Illustrative embodiment 118 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the first handle isconnected to the second handle.

Illustrative embodiment 119 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, further comprising a panel thatdefines an opening.

Illustrative embodiment 120 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the apparatus isconfigured to receive a plurality of implements through the opening.

Illustrative embodiment 121 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the implements comprisesample vessels.

Illustrative embodiment 122 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the opening issubstantially rectangular in shape and the panel is connected to thefirst top surface to the front wall.

Illustrative embodiment 123 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the panel furthercomprises a lip at the edge of the opening, wherein the lip isconfigured to mate with a cap.

Illustrative embodiment 124 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein a size of the openingranges from 5 to 25 cm in width and 5 to 25 cm in height.

Illustrative embodiment 125 is the collection apparatus of any precedingor subsequent illustrative embodiment, wherein the apparatus comprisesan injection moldable polymer.

Illustrative embodiment 126 is a system for supplying a plurality ofvessels, comprising: a feeding unit configured to supply a plurality ofvessels to at least one exit position, wherein each of the plurality ofvessels is configured to hold a sample, and wherein the feeding unitcomprises: (i) a feed bin comprising a bottom surface, a substantiallyopen top, a front side, a back side, an A-side, and a B-side, andconfigured to feed each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition at the top of the feed bin to at least one edge position of thebottom surface wherein the feed; (ii) at least one transporterpositioned on at least one of the A-side or the B-side of the feed binand configured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the atleast one edge position and transport each of the vessels to at leastone transfer point.

Illustrative embodiment 127 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin is substantiallytrapezoidal in shape.

Illustrative embodiment 128 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising (iii) at least one transferbelt positioned at the exit of the at least one transporter and at ornear the top of the feed bin, and configured to receive each of theplurality of vessels from at least one transfer point and individuallytransfer individual vessels from the at least one transfer point to abin exit position within the system.

Illustrative embodiment 129 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the plurality of vessels comprise abiological sample tube that is cylindrical in shape and comprises a cap.

Illustrative embodiment 130 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each of the plurality of vessels rangesfrom 75 to about 125 mm in length and about 8 to about 16 mm indiameter.

Illustrative embodiment 131 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one transfer beltcomprises a rubberized material.

Illustrative embodiment 132 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the rubberized material comprises aplurality of raised elements configured to assist in the transfer ofvessels.

Illustrative embodiment 133 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein an operating path of the at least onetransfer belt is substantially perpendicular to a direction ofadvancement of the at least one transporter.

Illustrative embodiment 134 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin is a trapezoidal shapewherein an area of the bottom surface is smaller than an area of the topof the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 135 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin further comprises aninterior slope at the convergence of the A-side and B-side with thebottom surface of the feed bin, wherein the interior slope is configuredto direct each of the vessels toward the transporter.

Illustrative embodiment 136 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the bottom surface of the feed bincomprises a wedge configured to direct the plurality of vessels to anedge of the bottom surface of the feed bin and onto the at least onetransporter.

Illustrative embodiment 137 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the wedge is located near the center ofthe bottom surface of the feed bin and is configured to direct theplurality of vessels to both the A-side and B-side of the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 138 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein a distribution of the plurality ofvessels is substantially balanced, such that the feed bin directsapproximately one-half of the plurality of vessels to the A-side of thefeed bin and approximately one-half of the plurality of vessels to theB-side of the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 139 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin further comprises a frontside and a rear side, wherein the feed bin is configured to receive theplurality of vessels for feeding at either the front side or the rearside.

Illustrative embodiment 140 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed bin further comprises at leastone angled corner element positioned at a convergence of the A-side,B-side, a front side, and a back side of the feed bin, and the angledcorner has a slope of at least 45 degrees relative to one of the A-side,B-side, front side, or back side.

Illustrative embodiment 141 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the at least one transporter comprisesa series of steps configured to individually transfer each of theplurality of vessels from one step to the next step in the series.

Illustrative embodiment 142 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each step comprises a ledge and riser,wherein each riser is configured to: (i) lift each of the plurality ofvessels from the bottom surface of the feed bin to an elevation stageadjacent to the ledge of the next step of the at least one transporter;(ii) transfer each vessel to that ledge, and (iii) return back to thebottom surface of the feed bin; and wherein a height of the elevationstage is greater than a height of the ledge of the next step the series.

Illustrative embodiment 143 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein a depth of the ledges of the steps areconfigured to decrease through the transporter, with the ledge of alower step being deeper than the ledge of an upper step.

Illustrative embodiment 144 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the steps are configured to align eachof the plurality of vessels in a single file arrangement at the at leastone transfer point.

Illustrative embodiment 145 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each ledge and each riser are eachconfigured to hold more than one vessel in a horizontal andlongitudinally tandem fashion parallel to the A-side and B-side of thefeed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 146 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the ledge and the riser of each stepare configured to bevel away from the feed bin toward the back of thetransporter.

Illustrative embodiment 147 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein an angle of the bevel is 5 to 15degrees.

Illustrative embodiment 148 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each ledge and each riser furthercomprise a wavy surface configured to align each of the plurality ofvessels in a substantially horizontal orientation with a longitudinalaxis along the ledge or riser.

Illustrative embodiment 149 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the surface of the ledge and risercomprises a plastic material.

Illustrative embodiment 150 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the wavy surface is configured toreturn each of the plurality of vessels not oriented in a substantiallyhorizontal orientation back into the feeding bin.

Illustrative embodiment 151 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the series of steps are configured tooperate together as a unit, rising and lowering at the same time.

Illustrative embodiment 152 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein a final step and exit of the at leastone transporter is substantially aligned with the at least one transferbelt.

Illustrative embodiment 153 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising a cover panel configured toprovide access to the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 154 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising an inspection table adjacentto the feed bin, wherein the inspection table is configured to controlat least in part tubes that enter and exit the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 155 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the inspection table is configured topermit removal of each vessel not meeting system requirements.

Illustrative embodiment 156 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the plurality of vessels comprise arandom orientation upon entry into the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 157 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, comprising two transporters and two transferbelts, wherein one transporter and transfer belt pair are associatedwith the A-side of the feed bin and the other transporter and transferbelt pair are associated with the B-side of the feed bin.

Illustrative embodiment 158 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein each the plurality of vessels includesmore than one identifying parameter and wherein the system is configuredto feed the plurality of vessels in a random nature and balance aloading of a subsequent system being supplied.

Illustrative embodiment 159 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the system can supply up to 16,000vessels per hour.

Illustrative embodiment 160 is a method for supplying a plurality ofvessels, comprising: providing a plurality of vessels and transferringthe plurality of vessels to a feeding unit.

Illustrative embodiment 161 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feeding unit configured to: supplya plurality of vessels to at least one exit position, wherein each ofthe plurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample, and wherein thefeeding unit comprises: (i) a feed bin, the feed bin being substantiallytrapezoidal in shape and comprising a bottom surface, a substantiallyopen top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side, and configured tofeed each of the plurality of vessels from an entry position at the topof the feed bin to at least one edge position of the bottom surfacewherein the feed.

Illustrative embodiment 162 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed unit further comprises (ii) atleast one transporter positioned on at least one of the A-side or theB-side of the feed bin and configured to receive each of the pluralityof vessels from the at least one edge position and transport each of thevessels to the at least one transfer point.

Illustrative embodiment 163 is the method of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, wherein the feed unit further comprises (iii)at least one transfer belt positioned at the exit of the at least onetransporter and at or near the top of the feed bin, and configured toreceive each of the plurality of vessels from at least one transferpoint and individually transfer individual vessels from the at least onetransfer point to a bin exit position within the unit.

Illustrative embodiment 164 is the system of any preceding or subsequentillustrative embodiment, further comprising transferring the vessel viathe at least one transfer belt to a downstream process or unit.

Illustrative embodiment 165 is a system for supplying a plurality ofvessels, comprising: a feeding unit configured to supply a plurality ofvessels to at least one exit position, wherein each of the plurality ofvessels is configured to hold a sample, and wherein the feeding unitcomprises: (i) a feed bin, the feed bin being substantially trapezoidalin shape and comprising a bottom surface, a substantially open top, afront side, a back side, an A-side, and a B-side, and configured to feedeach of the plurality of vessels from an entry position at the top ofthe feed bin to at least one edge position of the bottom surface whereinthe feed; (ii) at least one transporter positioned on at least one ofthe A-side or the B-side of the feed bin and configured to receive eachof the plurality of vessels from the at least one edge position andtransport each of the vessels to at least one transfer point; and (iii)at least one transfer belt positioned at the exit of the at least onetransporter and at or near the top of the feed bin, and configured toreceive each of the plurality of vessels from at least one transferpoint and individually transfer individual vessels from the at least onetransfer point to a bin exit position within the system.

Illustrative embodiment 166 is a method for supplying a plurality ofvessels, comprising: providing a plurality of vessels; transferring theplurality of vessels to a feeding unit, the feeding unit configured to:supply a plurality of vessels to at least one exit position, whereineach of the plurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample, andwherein the feeding unit comprises: (i) a feed bin, the feed bin beingsubstantially trapezoidal in shape and comprising a bottom surface, asubstantially open top, a front, a back, an A-side and a B-side, andconfigured to feed each of the plurality of vessels from an entryposition at the top of the feed bin to at least one edge position of thebottom surface wherein the feed; (ii) at least one transporterpositioned on at least one of the A-side or the B-side of the feed binand configured to receive each of the plurality of vessels from the atleast one edge position and transport each of the vessels to the atleast one transfer point; and (iii) at least one transfer beltpositioned at the exit of the at least one transporter and at or nearthe top of the feed bin, and configured to receive each of the pluralityof vessels from at least one transfer point and individually transferindividual vessels from the at least one transfer point to a bin exitposition within the unit; and transferring the vessel via the at leastone transfer belt to a downstream process or unit.

That which is claimed:
 1. A system for sorting a plurality of vessels,comprising: a) a sorting unit to sort a plurality of vessels, whereineach of the plurality of vessels is configured to hold a sample andcomprises an identification region providing information related to asorting group into which the sample is to be sorted, and wherein thesorting unit comprises: a scanning unit comprising a reader that readsthe identification region and stores the information related to thesorting group; a manipulator that individually transfers each of theplurality of scanned vessels to a nesting belt; and wherein the nestingbelt receives and individually positions each of the plurality ofscanned vessels for delivery to a collection point, wherein the nestingbelt comprises a plurality of stages that advance in timed intervals,and wherein the position of each of the plurality of scanned vessels onthe nesting belt is stored by the system; and (b) a runner that deliverseach of the plurality of vessels from the nesting belt to the collectionpoint, wherein the system detects a status of the runner and stops orslows, and resumes the nesting belt accordingly.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein each of the plurality of vessels is a biological sample tubethat is cylindrical in shape.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thescanning unit rotates each of the plurality of vessels about alongitudinal axis to position the identification region for scanning bythe reader.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sorting group isassigned based on a scannable code provided on each of the plurality ofvessels.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sorting group and theposition of each of the plurality of vessels on the nesting belt arerelayed to the runner.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of stages comprises a nest having a slot configured toaccommodate a single vessel.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein a stageof the plurality of stages of the nesting belt aligns with an operatingpath of the runner and wherein the timed intervals of the nesting beltadvancement allow the runner to remove each of the plurality of vesselsfrom the slot prior to advancement of the nesting belt to the nextstage.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the runner comprises a pair ofgrippers for the individual transfer of each of the plurality of scannedvessels from the nesting belt to the runner.
 9. The system of claim 1,comprising a plurality of collection points, wherein each collectionpoint comprises a collection container, and wherein the sorting group isassigned to one or more collection containers.
 10. The system of claim9, wherein the runner delivers each of the plurality of vessels to theassigned collection container and individually disengages each of theplurality of vessels when the runner is aligned with the assignedcollection container as determined by the sorting group.
 11. The systemof claim 1, comprising: at least two nesting belts comprising a firstnesting belt and a second nesting belt, wherein the first and secondnesting belts are positioned adjacent to one another and each nestingbelt to advances independently of the other nesting belt, wherein eachnesting belt comprises at least two active stages and each stagecomprises a nest having two or more slots, each slot configured toaccommodate a single vessel; and at least two runners comprising a firstrunner and a second runner, wherein the first runner to physicallymanipulates each of the plurality of scanned vessels and transfers eachof the plurality of vessels from a first active stage, the second runnerphysically manipulates each of the plurality of the scanned vessels andtransfers each of the plurality of vessels from a second active stage.12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a feeding system thatsupplies the plurality of vessels to the sorting unit.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein each of the nesting belts advances at timed intervalsthat provide for the runners to remove each of a plurality of positionedvessels from the slots of the nests prior to advancement of the nestingbelts to a next stage position.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein thesystem relays the sorting group and the position of each of theplurality of vessels on each nesting belt to the runners to deliver eachof the plurality of vessels to a collection container assigned to thesorting group.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the active stages ofthe nesting belts and an operating path of at least one runner aresubstantially perpendicular.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein thesystem is configured to sort up to 16,000 vessels per hour.
 17. A methodfor sorting a plurality of vessels, comprising: providing the pluralityof vessels, each of the plurality of vessels configured to hold asample, wherein each of the plurality of vessels comprises anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup of the sample; transferring the plurality of vessels to a sortingunit to sort the plurality of vessels, wherein the sorting unitcomprises: a scanning unit comprising a reader to read theidentification region on each of the plurality of vessels and store theinformation as each of the plurality of vessels is sorted by the sortingunit; a manipulator to individually transfer each of the plurality ofscanned vessels to a nesting belt; and the nesting belt, wherein thenesting belt positions each of the plurality of scanned vessels fordelivery to a collection point, wherein the nesting belt advances intimed intervals and comprises a plurality of stage; reading theidentification region of each of the plurality of vessels; determiningthe sorting group for each of the plurality of vessels; storing theinformation related to each of the plurality of vessels; detecting astatus of a runner and stopping or slowing, and resuming the nestingbelt accordingly; and transferring each of the plurality of vessels viathe runner to the collection point, wherein the collection point isdetermined by the sorting group information.
 18. The method of claim 17,further comprising: assigning the sorting group to each of the pluralityof vessels based on the information in the identification region of eachof the plurality of vessels; and relaying the sorting group of each ofthe plurality of vessels on the nesting belt to the runner.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: feeding each of the plurality ofvessels to the sorting unit; and wherein the runner traverses thesorting unit and disengages each of the plurality of vessels at thecollection point assigned according to the sorting group of each of theplurality of vessels.
 20. A computer program product comprising: aprocessing device; and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the processing device, wherein the processingdevice is configured to perform operations comprising: providing aplurality of vessels, each of the plurality of vessels configured tohold a sample, wherein each of the plurality of vessels comprises anidentification region for providing information related to a sortinggroup of the sample; sorting the plurality of vessels within a sortingunit, the sorting unit comprising: a scanning unit comprising a readerto read the identification region on each of the plurality of vesselsand store the information as each of the plurality of vessels is sortedby the sorting unit; a manipulator to individually transfer each of theplurality of scanned vessels to a nesting belt; and the nesting belt,wherein the nesting belt advances in timed intervals and positions eachof the plurality of scanned vessels for delivery to a collection point;reading the identification region of each of the plurality of vessels;determining the sorting group for each of the plurality of vessels;storing the information related to each of the plurality of vessels;detecting a status of a runner and stopping or slowing, and resuming thenesting belt accordingly; and transferring each of the plurality ofvessels to the runner, wherein the runner delivers each of the pluralityof vessels to a collection container determined by the sorting groupinformation of each of the plurality of vessels.